OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHOD: The cell shape and the expression of Cx43 in 18 cases of NPC and 10 cases of chronic inflammation disease of nasopharyngeal epitheliems (CIDNE) were observed under the laser scanning confocal microscopy and technology of fluorescence. RESULT: The scanning images displayed that the fluorescence signal of Cx43 in cell membrane of NPC was significantly lower than in CIDNE (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The expression of Cx43 plays an important role in the development of NPC. The reduced or loss of gap junctional intercellular communication may be one of the important factors in the development of a normal nasopharyngeal epithelium cell into a neoplastic one.
OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in humannasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHOD: The cell shape and the expression of Cx43 in 18 cases of NPC and 10 cases of chronic inflammation disease of nasopharyngeal epitheliems (CIDNE) were observed under the laser scanning confocal microscopy and technology of fluorescence. RESULT: The scanning images displayed that the fluorescence signal of Cx43 in cell membrane of NPC was significantly lower than in CIDNE (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The expression of Cx43 plays an important role in the development of NPC. The reduced or loss of gap junctional intercellular communication may be one of the important factors in the development of a normal nasopharyngeal epithelium cell into a neoplastic one.