Regulation of Activated STAT3 on the Expression of bcl-2 Protein in Hodgkin′s Lymphoma

Objective To investigate the regulation of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) on the expression of bcl 2 protein in Hodgkin′s lymphoma(HL). Methods The expressions of STAT3 and antiapoptotic gene protein—bcl 2 protein were detected by SP immunohistochemical techniques in 40 cases of HL with various subtypes and 13 reactive hyperplasia(RH) of lymph nodes. Results Both of STAT3 and bcl 2 protein were overexpressed in RS/H cells of HL(positive rates were 65% and 67.5% respectively),a significantly positive correlation existed between their positive rates (P0.05). Conclusions The activation of STAT3 may induce the overexpression of anti apoptotic gene bcl 2,leading to persistent proliferation of RS/H cells.Therefore, it may play an important role in malignant transformation and progression of RS/H cells in HL.