中文摘要：

背景与目的 β-连环素（β-catenin）和T细胞因子4（TCF-4）表达与非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）临床病理因素相关,本研究的目的是分析NSCLC中β-连环素与TCF-4的关系和意义。方法 应用免疫组化方法观察NSCLC中β-连环素表达情况;应用免疫荧光、免疫共沉淀、原位杂交等方法分析NSCLC中β-连环素异常定位、蓄积及与TCF-4的关系。结果 NSCLC中β-catenin的蛋白和mRNA水平明显高于癌旁正常肺组织,β-连环素在NSCLC肿瘤细胞胞浆和（或）胞核异常表达率为78.74%（100/127）,其中核表达率为37.01%（47/127）。β-连环素异常表达与分化程度（P=0.0008）和淋巴结转移（P=0.017）相关。TCF-4在86.67%（52/60）的肿瘤细胞核和（或）浆表达,中、低分化肺癌组织的TCF-4表达强度显著高于高分化癌组织。免疫共沉淀检测发现β-连环素和TCF-4核内共同表达的病例中有76.47%（13/17）存在β-连环素/TCF-4复合体,其中核内61.54%,浆内38.46%。结论 β-连环素蛋白和 mRNA的异常表达与NSCLC的恶性表型有关。TCF-4的表达与肺癌的低分化程度相关,β-连环素/TCF-4复合体在NSCLC中较普遍存在。

英文摘要：

Background and objective It has been known that the expressions of β-catenin and T cell factor 4 （TCF-4） were associated with clinicopathological parameters in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between expressions of β-catenin and TCF-4 in NSCLC. Methods The expression of β-catenin was detected with immunohistochemistry in 100 lung cancer samples; the relationship between abnormal located and preserved β-catenin with TCF-4 was investigated by immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation and hybridization in situ. Results The levels of protein and mRNA were both significantly higher in NSCLC than in corresponding normal lung tissues. Aberrant cytoplasmic and/or nuclear expression of β-catenin were 78. 74% （100/127） while aberrant nuclear expression was 37.01% （47/127）. Aberrant nuclear β-catenin was significantly associated with differentiation （P=0. 0008） and lymphatic metastasis （P= 0. 017）. Positive TCF-4 expression （86.67 %, 52/60） was normally seen in nucleus and cytoplasm of cancer cells. The intensity of TCF-4 expression was significantly higher in moderately and poorly differentiated lung cancers than that in well differentiated ones. In total 17 cases of β-catenin （＋） and TCF-4 （＋） patients, 13 cases were detected with the β-catenin/TCF-4 complex, 61.54% in nucleus and 38.46% in cytoplasm. Conclusion The abnormal mRNA and protein expressions of β-catenin are associated with malignant phenotype in NSCLC. TCF-4 expression is associated with poor differentiation in lung cancers. The β-catenin/TCF-4 complex exists widely in NSCLC.