Objective: To detect the expression of microtubules in human rhabdomyosarcoma.
Methods: Expression of microtubulin-beta in 70 tissue slides from human rhabdomyosarcoma was detected by immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescent staining was used to examine microtubules in PLA-802, A673 and RD under laser scanning confocal microscope.
Results: Expression of microtubulin-beta in human rhabdomyosarcoma tissue was widely decreased. The low expression rate of microtubulin-beta in histological grade-I tumor was 52.38%, and that in histological grade-III tumor 85% (P < 0.05). The low expression rate of microtubulin-beta in 32 cases with metastasis and recurrence was 87.5%, and that in 38 cases without metastasis and recurrence 55.26%. Microtubules in the three cell lines showed different degrees of maldevelopment. The most severe degree was observed in PLA-802, and the less severe degree in RD (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The microtubulin shows extensive low expression in human rhabdomyosarcoma. The decrease and hypogenesis of microtubules in human rhabdomyosarcoma have relationship with tumor's histological grade, malignant degree, metastasis, and recurrence.