Up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in lymphocytic thyroiditis and thyroid tumors: significant correlation with inducible nitric oxide synthase.

To cast light on relations of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression to lymphocytic thyroiditis and thyroid tumorigenesis, protein levels were immunohistochemically assessed and compared with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a total of 181 cases: follicular adenoma, 23; well-differentiated papillary carcinoma, 85; poorly differentiated papillary carcinoma, 25; anaplastic carcinoma, 7; and follicular carcinoma, 41. In addition, 72 specimens of normal follicular epithelia and 36 of lymphocytic thyroiditis were used as control samples. Immunohistochemical results were confirmed in 2 cases each of normal thyroid, lymphocytic thyroiditis, and well-differentiated and poorly differentiated papillary carcinoma, by Western blotting assay. Stepwise increments in overexpression of COX-2 and iNOS were revealed in epithelial cells of lymphocytic thyroiditis, follicular adenoma, and papillary carcinoma; normal thyroid epithelium showed little expression. A significant positive correlation between the 2 enzymes was found with all cases. Enhanced expression of both COX-2 and iNOS suggests important roles in the inflammatory processes underlying lymphocytic thyroiditis and thyroid tumorigenesis.