Differential Expression of TFF Genes and Proteins in Breast Tumors

• Main Authors: Martina Mihalj, Ivan Koprivčić, Sanja Novak, Nikola Bijelić, Mirela Baus Lončar, Tatjana Belovari, Kristina Kralik, Biljana Pauzar, Maja Tolušić Levak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sestre Milosrdnice University hospital, Institute of Clinical Medical Research 2018-01-01
• Series: Acta Clinica Croatica
• Subjects: Neoplasm Proteins; Breast Neoplasms; Immunohistochemistry; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Lymph Nodes; Ki-67 Antigen
• Online Access: http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/304890
• ISSN: 0353-9466; 1333-9451

The objective of this study was to determine diff erential expression of TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3 genes and proteins in breast tumor subtypes. In addition, we investigated the correlation between TFF genes within tumor subgroups, and TFF genes with clinical and pathologic characteristics of the tumor. Study group included 122 patients with surgically removed breast tumors. Samples were investigated using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. TFF1 and TFF3 genes and proteins were expressed in breast tumors, while the levels of TFF2 gene and protein expression were very low or undetectable. TFF1 was signifi cantly more expressed in benign tumors, while TFF3 was more expressed in malignant tumors. Gene and protein expression of both TFF1 and TFF3 was greater in lymph node-negative tumors, hormone positive tumors, tumors with moderate levels of Ki67 expression, and in grade II tumors. A strong positive correlation was found between TFF1 and TFF3 genes, and the expression of both negatively correlated with Ki67 and the level of tumor histologic diff erentiation. Our results suggest that TFF1 and TFF3, but not TFF2, may have a role in breast tumor pathogenesis and could be used in the assessment of tumor diff erentiation and malignancy.