Preliminary study of expression of caspase mRNA and apoptosis in squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma

Ga Young Lee, Myung Hwa Kim, Hae Young Choi, Ki Bum Myung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Although many recent reports have suggested an important role of caspase in apoptosis and tumor, little is known about the role of caspase in cutaneous carcinoma. Object: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expressions of caspase-1, 3 and 8, which have been expected to play an important role in the apoptosis, in the normal human skin, squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) and basal cell carcinoma(BCC). Methods: Fresh tissues from 2 normal adults, patients of 6 SCC, and 2 BCC were investigated for the expression of caspase-1, 3, and 8. using RT-PCR technique and in situ apoptotic cells using TUNEL method. Results: Caspase-1 was expressed in one case of normal skin(50%), 2 cases of BCC(100%), 4 cases of 6 SCC(66.7%). Caspase-3 was expressed in the all cases of normal skin, SCC, and BCC. Caspase-3 expression significantly decreased in the order of normal skin, BCC, and SCC. All cancer cases expressed caspase-8 but two normal skin did not express it. Apoptotic cells were shown in several undifferenciated SCC cells and only BCC cells that suffered cystic degeneration. Conclusion: SCC showed decrease of caspase-3 expression comparing BCC or normal tissue but rather increase of caspase-8 expression comparing the normal tissue. In our study, SCC resulted in decrease of apoptosis. And quantitative RT-PCR and more collection of the BCC cases were needed for further definite suggestion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7-14
Number of pages8
JournalKorean Journal of Dermatology
Volume41
Issue number1
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2003

Keywords

  • Basal cell carcinoma
  • Caspase-1, 3, 8
  • Squamous cell carcinoma

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