Papers Neural cell adhesion molecule L1 in gliomas: correlation with TGF-â and p53

Aims—To assess immunohistochemically whether the neural cell adhesion molecule L1, which is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and has been shown recently to be a stimulating factor for glioma migration, is expressed in glioma tissues, and to investigate factors that can regulate this expression. Methods—Twenty seven glioma tissue specimens including 13 glioblastomas, seven anaplastic astrocytomas, and seven astrocytomas were examined. Immunohistochemical analyses of L1, p53, and transforming growth cell factor â (TGF-â) were performed on each tumour using both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Results—Nine (33%) specimens (six glioblastomas and three anaplastic astrocytomas) had L1 positive immunostaining. p53 positive staining was detected in 10 (43%) of 23 glioma specimens (seven glioblastomas and three anaplastic astrocytomas). TGF-â positive immunostaining was observed in 12 (52%) of the 23 glioma specimens (six glioblastomas, four anaplastic astrocytomas, and two astrocytomas). There was a statistical correlation between both p53 and L1 expression and TGF-â and L1 expression. No such correlation was found between p53 and TGF-â expression. Conclusions—These results suggest that mutation of the p53 gene or expression of TGF-â may upregulate the expression of the L1 gene, thus resulting in high grade migration of glioma cells. (J Clin Pathol 1998;51:13–17)