Expression and significance of discoidin domain receptor 1 in salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression and significance of discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) in salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). METHODS: Immunohistochemical and Western blot method were used to detect the expression of DDR1 in MEC M3SP2 and MC3 cell lines. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of DDR1 in 58 MEC and 20 normal salivary gland tissues. SPSS 13.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The positive expression rate of DDR1 in salivary gland MEC tissues was 79.3%, significantly higher than 10.0% in normal salivary gland tissues (P 0.05). The expression of DDR1 was positive in MEC M3SP2 and MC3 cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: DDR1 may play an important role in carcinogenesis and progress of salivary gland MEC.