Increased expressions of integrin subunit β1, β2 and β3 in patients with cancer ------correlation analysis between risk factors of VTE and expression of core proteins.

OBJECTIVE Cancer is one of the most common risk factor of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Our previous studies have shown that integrin subunits β1, β2 and β3 were the core proteins of venous thrombi and potential useful biomarker of VTE. This study aimed to explore the expression status of core proteins (integrin subunits β1, β2 and β3) in cancer patients. METHODS This is a case-control study. A total of 144 inpatients (54 females) with clinically proven cancers were recruited into this study, meanwhile 200 inpatients without cancer matched in sex and age were recruited as control group. Flow cytometry was done to measure the expressions of blood integrin β1, β2, β3 and cellular immunity related variables (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8, CD16CD56 and CD19). The association degree between increased core proteins and cancers was analyzed by calculating the relative risk (RR). RESULTS The expression of integrin β1 and β3 were markedly increased in patients with cancer (P=0.001 and 0.008). Integrin β2 was also mildly increased in patients with cancer (P=0.274). The relative risk ratio (RR) of increased integrin β1, β2 and β3 in cancer patients was 1.655 (95% CI: 1.321-2.074, P=0.000), 1.314 (95% CI: 1.052-1.642, P=0.021) and 1.852, (95% CI: 1.097-3.126, P=0.028), respectively. Combined analysis with integrin β1, β2 and β3 showed that the relative risk ratio (RR) of increased in cancer patients was 4.895 (95% CI: 1.645-14.563, P=0.002). CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 and CD19 were significantly decreased (P=0.004, P=0.000, P=0.000, P=0.000, respectively) in patients with cancer, while CD8 and CD16CD56 were markedly increased in cancer patients (P=0.005, P=0.035). CONCLUSIONS As the core proteins of venous thrombi, integrin β1 and β3 were markedly increased expression in patients with cancer, which maybe explain the increased risk of VTE in cancer patients. A weakened or disordered immune system might be the basis of VTE in condition.