Abstract:

To study the relativity of TLR4 expression in uroepithelium carcinoma of the bladder(BUEC). MethodsParaffinembedded tissue sections from 62 patients with BUEC were!reexamined. Based on the pathological diagnosis standard of WHO and ISUP, 5 cases were urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (G1), 24 cases were low grade papillary urothelial carcinoma(G2) and 33 cases were high grade papillary urothelial carcinoma(G3). 11 specimens obtained from normal bladders and 13 obtained from adjacent tissues of tumors served as the controls. Expression of TLR4 was detected by immunohistochemistry.  ResultsAll the controls strongly expressed TLR4, while only 60% of G1 strongly expressed TLR4, 40% of G1 , 21% of G2 and 3% of G3 had low expressions of TLR4, and 79% of G2 and 97% of G3 almost did not express TLR4.  With the progression of tumor grade, positive rate of TLR4 expression was decreased(P=0.000). Conclusion In uroepithelium carcinoma of the bladder, TLR4 expression is significantly associated with tumor grade, and a decrease of TLR4 expression is a prognostic factor for predicting progression of BUEC.

Key words: Bladder neoplasm; Tolllike receptor 4; Immunohistochemistry