The association of GLUT-1, Galectin 3 and Claudin 1 staining with the type of renal tumors

Abstract

Aim: The mechanism of carcinogenesis and prognostic parameters of renal cell carcinomas(RCC) exhibiting an increasing incidencetrend are still obscure. Even though new tumors types are identified, diagnostic difficulty is even experienced occasionally for themost common tumor types. Various immunohistochemical and molecular-genetic studies are conducted for tumor type identificationand prognostic evaluation. The present study examined glucose transporter protein (GLUT-1), galectin-3 that is associated with cellgrowth, differentiation, proliferation, adhesion, angiogenesis and apoptosis, and Claudin 1, a transmembrane protein of intercellulartight junctions, immunohistochemically for the most commonly encountered renal tumors. The staining patterns were compared interms of Fuhrman nuclear grade, stage, metastasis, and demographic data.Material and Methods: Methods: The study consisted of a total of 99 renal tumor cases including 40 Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma(CCRCC), 22 Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma (CrRCC), 16 Oncocytoma and 19 Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma (PRCC) cases.Results: Overexpression of GLUT-1 was observed in 92.5% of CCRCC cases and 36.8% of PRCC cases whereas the loss of expressionwas observed in CrRCC and Oncocytoma. Claudin-1 was seen in 77.5% of the CCRCCs, 45.4% of the CrRCCs, 81.25% of theoncocytomas and 84.2% of the PRCCs. Galectin-3 was present in 90% of the CCRCCs, 81% of the CrRCCs, 50% of the oncocytomasand 21% of the PRCCConclusion: Diffuse membranous staining pattern was observed for GLUT-1 in case of CCRCC, however, no correlation withprognostic parameters was noticed. Claudin-1 expression was observed in high nuclear grade tumors. Thus, it may be regarded asa poor prognostic factor. Galectin 3 expression was observed in the tumors with sarcomatoid differentiation.