Evaluation of bcl-2 gene expression in papilloma of larynx in children

Apoptosis - programmed death of a cell - is a natural mechanism that contro ls the number of cells in an organism. Neoplastic cells as many types of no rmal cells, may be the subject of spontaneous apoptosis as well as they may be induced by anti-neoplastic factors. Neoplastic cells' resistance to dru gs is often correlated with impossible induction of apoptosis in those cell s. Though the process of apoptosis is not fully explained, a possible invol vement of many genes in regulation of this process is indicated. One of the m is bcl-2 gene and its product - bcl-2 protein, which has the property of apoptosis process inhibition and stimulation of a cell towards outliving (s urvival). Increased expression of bcl-2 gene is present in many neoplastic cells and it suggests a possible pathogenic role of bcl-2 gene in oncogenes is. In this paper the expression of bcl-2 gene in the cells of papilloma in larynx is defined in six children operated in the Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology of Medical School in Lublin. Papillomas of larynx are neopl asm's of particular resistance to treatment. Complete, cellular RNA was iso lated with Chomczynski and Sacchi method using guanidine thiocyanate. Gene expression was defined with the method of reverse transcription by cDNA syn thesis and amplification of bcl-2 gene fragment with specific oligonucleoti des in reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The produc ts were identified on agarose gel. Expression of bcl-2 gene in the investig ated cells of laryngeal papilloma was confirmed in all the children. The pr esence of bcl-2 gene product in these cells may be the cause of apoptosis i nhibition and stimulation of cells proliferation of the neoplasm. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.