Investigation of intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs) gene expressions in patients with Barrett's esophagus

Tumour Biol. 2014 May;35(5):4907-12. doi: 10.1007/s13277-014-1644-3. Epub 2014 Jan 29.

Abstract

The adhesion molecules play a major role in inflammation as well as in neoplastic diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the expressions of the adhesion molecules, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), ICAM-2, and ICAM-3, in Barrett's esophagus, recognized as a premalign lesion for esophageal cancer and related to inflammation. Eighteen patients with Barrett's esophagus according to endoscopy and 25 volunteers without Barrett's esophagus disease were included in the study. Tissue samples were supplied by biopsy and used for both gene expression and immunohistochemical analysis. The significance of the differences between the two groups was assessed by Student's t test. The ICAM-1 expression level was fivefold higher in the patient group compared with that of the control. There was an increase in the serum level of ICAM-1 in patients compared to that of the controls, but this increase was not significant. ICAM-2 levels were also increased in the patient group, but it was not significant. There was no difference between controls and patients in ICAM-3 levels. Significantly higher levels of ICAM-1 gene expression make us think that ICAM-1 may play an important role in Barrett's esophagus. We think that more studies, with larger patient groups and preferably detailed histopathological and clinical evaluations, are needed to explain the severity of ICAM-1, ICAM-2, and ICAM-3 molecules in Barrett's esophagus.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / blood
  • Antigens, CD / genetics*
  • Barrett Esophagus / metabolism
  • Barrett Esophagus / pathology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / blood
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / blood
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / genetics*
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / physiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • ICAM1 protein, human
  • ICAM2 protein, human
  • ICAM3 protein, human
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1