Association of overexpression of TIF1γ with colorectal carcinogenesis and advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma

Figure 1 Semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry scoring of transcriptional intermediary factor 1 gamma, Smad4 and transforming growth factor-beta receptor typeII overexpression. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for transforming growth factor-beta receptor typeII shown in A, B, C: Weak cytoplasmic (0-1+) staining seen in normal colonic mucosa (A). Moderate (2+) cytoplasmic and weak (0-1+) membranous staining in the tubular adenoma (TA) (B). Strong cytoplasmic and focal membranous staining in the cancer cells (C). IHC staining for Smad4 shown in D, E, F: Strong (3+) Smad4 staining seen in normal colonic mucosa (D). Tumour cells showing strong (3+) expression of Smad4 protein in the nucleus and cytoplasm (E). Adenocarcinoma with loss of Smad4 in the nuclei (F). IHC staining for transcriptional intermediary factor 1 gamma (TIF1γ) shown in G, H, I: Weak (1+) nuclear staining for TIF1γ seen in normal colonic mucosa (G), moderate (2+) nuclear staining seen in TA (H), strong nuclear staining (3+) in cancer cells (I) (400 ×).

Figure 2 Comparison of transcriptional intermediary factor 1 gamma overexpression, Smad4 loss, and transforming growth factor-beta receptor type II overexpression among hyperplastic polyps, tubular adenomas, and colorectal cancer. HP: Hyperplastic polyps; TA: Tubular adenomas; CRC: Colorectal cancer; TIF1γ: Transcriptional intermediary factor 1 gamma; TGFβRII: Transforming growth factor-beta receptor type II.