Immunohistochemical Expression of Alpha (Α) A Crystallin in Senile Degenerative and Non-Cataract Lenses

Aim: Comparative immunohistochemical study of expression of α A Crystallin in non-cataract lenses and age-related cataract lenses in humans. Methodology: This was an observational cross sectional study. There are two groups in this study. Group A comprised of 121 senile degenerative cataract lenses from diagnosed patients. Group B included of 10 non-cataract lenses from patients who underwent surgeries for enucleation due to trauma and retinoblastoma. Lenses were fixed in 10% Buffered Neutral Formalin and processed to make paraffin blocks. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed on sections using primary antibody for α A crystallin. Data was analyzed through SPSS software version 24. Results: Immunohistochemical staining of group A showed 80.2% Strong Positive expression while 19.8% showed Intermediate Positive expression of α A Crystallin. 100% Strong Positive expression of α A Crystallin was seen in group B. Comparison of expression of α A Crystallin in two groups showed significant decrease (p<0.001) in expression. Conclusion: Decreased expression of α A Crystallin in IHC stained senile cataract lens indicates the role of structural alterations of lens fibers in pathogenesis of senile cataract. If mechanism involved in causing these alterations can be identified and targeted so that progression of senile cataract may be delayed. Keywords: Immunohistochemistry, α A crystallin expression, senile cataract, Human eye Lens, Lens Fiber.

Evaluation of -Catenin Expression in Relation to Staging and Grading of Colorectal Carcinoma – A Study Conducted in Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur

BACKGROUND Colorectal carcinoma is the most frequently encountered malignancy worldwide. The main cause of mortality associated with colorectal malignancy is tumour invasion and metastasis. The major genomic alteration that has been found in colorectal carcinoma is mutation in the adenomatous polyposis gene. Mutated APC causes unrestricted action of the Wnt signalling pathway which results in accumulation of the β - catenin protein in the nucleus responsible for cell proliferation, differentiation and enhanced survival of colorectal epithelial cells. Role of β - catenin expression as a prognostic marker needs to be studied. It will help in aiding the possibility of the future of anti β - catenin targeted chemotherapy for the treatment of colorectal cancers. METHODS A total of 85 samples from histopathologically proven cases of adenocarcinoma colon were taken. Histomorphological features and their immunohistochemical expression of β - catenin were studied. Data thus obtained was analysed using SPSS version 25. Histopathological diagnosis is considered as the gold standard. RESULTS Among the 85 samples of adenocarcinoma 9 case were stage T1 tumours, 24 were stage T2. 31 cases were stage T3, and 21 colorectal cancers were stage T4. Statistically significant correlation was obtained between tumour stage and β - catenin expression. (P value = < 0.001) With regard to tumour grade 24 out of 85 cases were well differentiated and 45 were moderately differentiated, 16 cases were poorly differentiated. Correlation of tumour grading and β - catenin expression also were statistically significant (P value = < 0.001). 45 out of 85 cases were having no nodal metastasis. 22 cases showed metastasis in 1 to 3 lymph nodes. 18 cases were N2. No statistically significant correlation was obtained between lymph node status and β - catenin expression. (P value = 0.003) CONCLUSIONS In this study the membranous, cytoplasmic and nuclear scores of β - catenin shows the linear progression with the advancing stages of colorectal carcinoma. So β - catenin can be used as a prognostic marker in malignant colorectal neoplasm. KEYWORDS Immunohistochemistry, β – Catenin, Colorectal Carcinoma