부산대학교 도서관

Summary: Background Telomere length is correlated with cellular ageing and immortalization processes. In some human cancers telomere length measurement has proved to be of diagnostic and prognostic value. Results comparable with the traditional terminal restriction fragment length determination by Southern blotting have been obtained in metaphase and interphase cells in some studies by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis; FISH additionally allows for the quantification of telomeres at the cellular level.:Objectives In this study, 32 melanocytic lesions were analysed by FISH, aiming at investigating possible telomere differences among various benign and malignant lesions and correlation with telomerase activity (TA) level.:Methods FISH was performed on paraffin sections from six common naevi, eight Spitz naevi, 12 melanomas, six melanoma metastases and nine control samples of normal skin. Telomere mean maximum diameter (Feret max), area and number per nuclear area were calculated by image analysis on fluorescent images elaborated through KS400 and in situ imaging system (ISIS) for FISH analysis programs. Mean TA level was also calculated in all lesions and correlated with telomere parameters.:Results Telomere number per nuclear area was significantly lower in melanomas and metastases than in benign common and Spitz naevi and in control skin (7·24 ± 3·3; 6·11 ± 3 vs. 14·46 ± 5·6; 16·92 ± 7·8; and 12·59 ± 3·4, respectively; P < 0·001). No significant differences were found for the other telomere parameters. In common and Spitz naevi, telomere number was positively correlated with Feret max (P = 0·046 and P < 0·0001, respectively). TA was significantly higher in melanomas and metastases than in the other groups (70·18 ± 25·2; 105·07 ± 30 vs. 2·16 ± 2·4; 2·99 ± 2·1; 2 ± 1·2, respectively; P ≤... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]