RESUMO
PURPOSE: To investigate the possible contribution of GDNF in matrix-degrading, cell-adhesion during perineural invasion (PNI) of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). METHODS: Totally 42 ACCs and 5 normal salivary tissues were included in the present studyï¼Immunohistochemical staining SP method was used to detect the expression of GDNF,MMP-9,NF-κB,integrin ß1 in ACC specimens and normal salivary tissues. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS16.0 software package. RESULTSï¼GDNF was strongly expressed in ACC tumor cells and nerve fibers adjacent to ACC tumor cells. NF-κB, MMP-9, integrin ß1 were positively expressed in ACC cell cytoplasm, integrin ß1 was also found in ACC cell membrane, and NF-κB in nuclei occasionally. The positive expression rate was 69.05%ï¼29/42ï¼,66.67%ï¼28/42ï¼,61.90%ï¼26/42ï¼, respectively. The differences between the expression of NF-κB, MMP-9, integrinß1 in PNI group and non-PNI group were significant (P=0.005,P=0.011,P=0.001, respectively). Expression of NF-κB, MMP-9, integrin ß1 was correlated to that of GDNF(r=0.443, P=0.003; r=0.401, P=0.009; r=0.535, P=0.000, respectively). Expression of MMP-9 and integrin ß1 was positively correlated to that of NF-κB(r=0.501, P=0.001; r=0.429, P=0.005). Expression of MMP-9 was correlated positively to that of integrin ß1 (r=0.381, P=0.013). CONCLUSIONSï¼GDNF may increase the matrix-degrading and cell-adhesion of ACC in the process of PNI. NF-κB, MMP-9 and integrin ß1 involve in ACC cells invading nerves.