Expression and significance of Y-box-binding protein-1 in gastric carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of Y-box-binding protein-1 (YB-1) in patients with gastric carcinoma of different stages. Methods: Expressions of YB-1 protein and mRNA in specimens of normal tissues, intestinal metaplasia, early gastric cancer and advanced gastric cancer were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results: There was no positive staining of YB-1 protein and mRNA in normal gastric tissues. However, YB-1 was expressed in epithelial cells of gastric mucosa in intestinal metaplasia. YB-1 was expressed in all layers of gastric mucosa of epithelial cells in the early stage of gastric cancer, and its expression was weaker in advanced gastric cancer than in early gastric cancer. Conclusion: Elevated YB-1 may be related to the early pathogenesis and development of gastric carcinoma.