Abstract:

Objective   To research the expression of Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) in glioma, and to investigate the role of NLRP3 in glioma genesis and improvement. Methods   49 cases of human glioma were graded according to World Health Organization (WHO) 2007 criteria, and were divided into the low grade group(WHO I-Ⅱ, 20 cases) and the high grade group(WHO Ⅲ-Ⅳ, 29 cases). The expression of NLRP3 was measured by immunohistochemistry in 49 human glioma tissues and 10 normal brain tissues. The expressions of NLRP3 mRNA and protein were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. Results   The NLRP3 expression was negative in 10 normal brain tissues and low in the low grade group. There was obvious expression of NLRP3 in the high grade glioma group. The level of NLRP3 mRNA and protein in normal group, low grade group and high grade group was 1.04±0.52, 1.85±1.02 and 3.36±1.38 respectively. There were significant differences among the three groups(P<0.01). Compared with normal brain tissue, the expression of NLRP3 in human glioma in both mRNA and protein levels were higher(P<0.01). Conclusion   There is abnormal expression of NLRP3 in glioma, and the NLRP3 level is positively correlated with malignancy of human glioma. NLRP3 may play an important role in the genesis and invasion of glioma. The expression of NLRP3 can be used to estimate the malignancy of glioma.

Key words: Glioma; Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3; Immunohistochemistry; QRT-PCR; Western blot