Expression of integrin-alpha(3) mRNA in meningiomas and its correlation with proliferation and invasion.

To investigate the expression of integrin-alpha3 mRNA in meningiomas and its correlation with proliferation and invasion, the expression of integrin-alpha(3) subunit was detected by using in situ hybridization in patients with meningiomas (36 cases) and normal dura (2 cases) and arachnoid tissues (2 cases). SABC immunohistochemical assay was used to study the expression of Ki-67 nuclear antigen. The results showed that the expression of integrin-alpha(3) mRNA in benign, atypical and malignant meningiomas was 2.52+/-0.362, 1.75+/-0.316 and 1.42+/-0.633, respectively. The expression levels of integrin-alpha(3) mRNA was significantly lower in atypical or malignant meningiomas than those in benign meningiomas (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). The expression of integrin-alpha(3) mRNA in those with invasive biological behavior was lower than that in those without invasion (1.63+/-0.462 vs. 2.61+/-0.526, P<0.01). Moreover, the expression of integrin-alpha(3) mRNA was inversely associated with Ki-67 labeling index in all cases. It suggested that integrin-alpha(3) subunit participated in the modulatory process of growth of meningiomas. The proliferation activity and malignant grade of meningiomas were increased with the decreased expression of integrin-alpha(3) subunit, and the down-regulation of integrin-alpha(3) mRNA was associated with the invasive biological behaviors in meningiomas.