Expression of heat shock protein 27 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in human retinoblastoma.

Aim of the study: This study aimed to observe the expressions of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in retinoblas toma (Rb) cells and to explore the rela tionships of the expression with Rb dif ferentiation and optic nerve infiltration. Material and methods: Heat shock pro tein 27 and PCNA expressions in 36 rou tine Rb paraffin specimens were ob served using PV9000 two-stage immuno histo chemical staining. The correlations of the HSP27 and PCNA expressions with Rb dif ferentiation and optic nerve infiltration were analyzed. Results: Heat shock protein 27 was weakly expressed in the normal retina, specifically in the ganglion cell layer. It was extensively expressed in Rb tissues at a positive rate of 69.4%, and the pos itive substances were primarily located in the cytoplasm. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was expressed weakly or not at all expressed in the normal retina and was extensively expressed in Rb tissues at a positive rate of 83.3%, and the pos itive substances were primarily located in the nucleus. The positive expression rates of HSP27 and PCNA in the differ entiated group were significantly high er than in the undifferentiated group (p < 0.05). The positive expression rates of HSP27 and PCNA in the optic nerveinfiltrated group were significantly high er than in the non-infiltrated group (p< 0.05). Heat shock protein 27 expres sion was positively correlated with PCNA expression in Rb ( p < 0.01). Conclusions: Heat shock protein 27 and PCNA expressions are markedly corre lated with cell differentiation and optic nerve infiltration in Rb.