Abstract:

Objective    To investigate expression change of alpha-smooth muscle actin（α-SMA）, the marker of pericryptal myofibroblasts, in gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesions, and study its relationship with the proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）. Methods    The immunohistochemical technique was used to detect expression of α-SMA and PCNA in gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesions. The relationship between α-SMA and PCNA was analyzed. Results    Expression of α-SMA was increased in intestinal metaplasia, then decreased in low or high grade gastric intraepithelial neoplasia, and increased again in gastric carcinoma.(χ2=56.15，P<0.01). The pericryptal distribution of α-SMA was found in intestinal metaplasia, but diminished along with the development of gastric carcinoma. Expression of PCNA was increased along with the development of gastric carcinogenesis (χ2=117.12，P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between α-SMA and PCNA expressions（rs =0.61，P<0.01）.  Conclusions     There are significanct changes in expression intensity and distribution of stroma myofibroblasts with the development of gastric carcinoma, which indicates that myofibroblasts might play a role in gastric carcinogenesis.

Key words: Epithelium; Stroma myofibroblast; Stomach neoplasms