Abstract:Objective: To discuss the expressions and significance of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) mediated by connexin43 (Cx43) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in gastric cancer tissues. Methods: The expressions of Cx43 and mTOR in gastric tumor lesions and normal gastric mucosal tissues of 60 patients with gastric cancer were detected by immunohistochemical (SP) and qRT-PCR, and their relationships with clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. Results: The expressions of Cx43 mRNA and protein in gastric tumor were lower than those in normal gastric mucosa.However, the expressions of mTOR mRNA and protein were higher than those of normal gastric mucosa (All P<0.01). Regardless of mRNA expression level or protein expression level, Cx43 was associated with the differentiation degree, TNM stage, invasion depth and lymphatic metastasis of gastric cancer (all P<0.05). However, mTOR mRNA and protein were correlated with the differentiation degree, TNM stage and invasion depth of gastric cancer (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference between protein expression level and lymphatic metastasis (P=0.10), but mRNA expression level was correlated with lymphatic metastasis (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the expression of Cx43 protein was negatively correlated with the expression of mTOR protein in gastric cancer patients (r=-0.656, P<0.01), and the expression of Cx43 mRNA was negatively correlated with the expression of mTOR mRNA(r=-0.528, P< 0.01). Conclusion: Cx43 and mTOR are involved in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, related to the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer, and in the evolution of gastric cancer, the decreased expression of Cx43-mediated GJIC may stimulate the increased expression of mTOR , and Cx43 may be a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer.
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