OBJECTIVE: To study the expressions of proapoptosis protein BNIP3 and its correlation with HIF-1alpha and VEGF in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). METHODS: The expression levels of BNIP3, HIF-1alpha and VEGF were examined by two-step immunohistochemical staining with tissue chip technique in 104 cases of ccRCC and in 48 cases of normal renal tissues. The correlation of BNIP3 expression with HIF-1alpha and VEGF was analyzed. RESULT: The positive expression rates of BNIP3, HIF-1alpha and VEGF were 36.5%, 61.5%, and 69.2% in ccRCC, while were 12.5%, 8.3%, and 12.5% in paracancerous normal renal tissue, respectively. The expression of both HIF-1alpha and VEGF were not significantly increased in BNIP3 positive tumors in comparison with BNIP3 negative counterpart (P > 0.05), but there was a significant correlation between HIF-1alpha and VEGF (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The lower expression level of BNIP3 is not coincident with the high level of HIF-1alpha and VEGF in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE: To study the expressions of proapoptosis protein BNIP3 and its correlation with HIF-1alpha and VEGF in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). METHODS: The expression levels of BNIP3, HIF-1alpha and VEGF were examined by two-step immunohistochemical staining with tissue chip technique in 104 cases of ccRCC and in 48 cases of normal renal tissues. The correlation of BNIP3 expression with HIF-1alpha and VEGF was analyzed. RESULT: The positive expression rates of BNIP3, HIF-1alpha and VEGF were 36.5%, 61.5%, and 69.2% in ccRCC, while were 12.5%, 8.3%, and 12.5% in paracancerous normal renal tissue, respectively. The expression of both HIF-1alpha and VEGF were not significantly increased in BNIP3 positive tumors in comparison with BNIP3 negative counterpart (P > 0.05), but there was a significant correlation between HIF-1alpha and VEGF (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The lower expression level of BNIP3 is not coincident with the high level of HIF-1alpha and VEGF in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.