敲减人MCHR2基因抑制CHO细胞的放射性 配体受体结合能力及Ca 2+释放

研究人黑色素浓集激素受体2(MCHR2)基因特异的小发夹RNA(shRNA)真核表达载体pGenesil-1-MCHR2-shRNA对MCHR2表达及特征的影响.将pGenesil-1-MCHR2-shRNA转染到稳定表达人MCHR2基因的CHO细胞中,通过RT-PCR和 Western印迹检测MCHR2表达的变化;放射性配体结合实验（RBA）检测受体最大结合容量B _max及平衡解离常数K_d值的变化;钙流检测实验观察配体MCH刺激后单个细胞Ca ²⁺释放及MCH半数有效浓度EC₅₀的变化.与转染pGenesil-1空载体组比较,pGenesil-1-MCHR2-shRNA 能使MCHR2基因mRNA表达减少45.8％～66.4％;蛋白表达减少44.2％～81.0％; B _max减少39.4％～78.7％,K_d值升高40.9％～81.9％;EC ₅₀升高114.8％～822.4％.MCHR2基因shRNA真核表达载体能有效抑制MCHR2基因的表达,减少B_max、升高K_d值及EC ₅₀,从而对MCHR2生物活性等特征产生影响.     

全反式维甲酸抑制猪脂肪间充质干细胞的成脂分化

分离培养猪脂肪间充质干细胞（adipose mesenchymal stem cells, AMSCs）,流式细胞仪鉴定其表面标记.利用MTT比色检测不同浓度的全反式维甲酸（all trans retinoic acid, ATRA）对猪AMSCs增殖的影响;光学显微镜下观察猪AMSCs向脂肪细胞分化的形态学变化;油红O染色提取法分析不同浓度ATRA对猪AMSCs成脂分化的影响;RT PCR检测脂肪细胞分化标志基因LPL和aP2 mRNA的变化.MTT比色结果显示,生理浓度（1×10^－9～1×10^－8 mol/L）和药理浓度（1×10^－7～1×10^－5 mol/L）ATRA对猪AMSCs增殖均没有影响.油红O染色提取法结果表明,除1×10^－7　mol/L ATRA对猪AMSCs成脂分化没有影响外,生理浓度（1×10^－9～1×10^－8 mol/L）和其它药理浓度（1×10^－6～1×10^－5 mol/L）ATRA均显著抑制猪AMSCs成脂分化（P<0.05）.RT-PCR检测显示,ATRA显著抑制脂肪细胞分化标志基因LPL和aP2 mRNA表达（P<0.05）.     

Bach1与Nrf2调控γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶对大鼠慢性阻塞性肺疾病的作用

为了探讨Bach1 (BTB and CNC homology 1)与红系衍生的核因子相关因子2（Nrf2）和γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶（γ-GCS）的表达变化在慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）中的作用和意义,用气管内注入脂多糖及熏香烟的复合刺激法建立大鼠COPD 模型．观察两组大鼠的肺组织病理学改变,测两组大鼠的肺功能指标;应用免疫组化、Western印迹、原位杂交和逆转录 聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）等方法检测Bach1与Nrf2及γ GCS 在两组大鼠的肺组织中的表达．结果显示,COPD组的肺功能指标（FEV_0.3、FEV_0.3/FVC%、PEF）明显恶化;光镜下肺组织病理改变符合COPD的特征性改变;γ GCS与Nrf2 的mRNA及蛋白质表达在COPD组大鼠肺组织中明显增强;而Bach1 mRNA及蛋白质在COPD组和对照组的表达无明显差别．且核/胞浆分离技术表明,Nrf2蛋白在对照组主要表达于胞浆,胞核中表达水平较弱,在COPD组胞浆、胞核均有表达,但是在胞核中的水平明显升高;Bach1蛋白在对照组主要表达于胞核中,胞浆中无明显表达,在COPD组主要表达于胞浆,胞核中无明显表达．相关性分析表明,γ-GCS mRNA与FEV_0.3、FEV_0.3/FVC%、PEF均呈负相关;Nrf2蛋白表达与γ GCS mRNA呈正相关;Bach1蛋白与γ GCS mRNA呈负相关．上述结果提示,Bach1与Nrf2和γ-GCS可能均在大鼠COPD的发病中发挥作用,且Bach1和Nrf2可能通过竞争性机制调控γ-GCS的表达,影响COPD的发生和发展．     

小鼠胚胎干细胞分化心肌细胞毒蕈碱受体的表达特征

为了探讨胚胎干细胞分化心肌细胞（ESCM）毒蕈碱受体的表达规律及β肾上腺素能系统对M2受体表达的影响,采用10^－4 mol/L维生素C体外诱导小鼠M13胚胎干细胞分化为心肌细胞,用RT-PCR检测到分化后的细胞表达心肌细胞特异性基因Nkx2.5和β肌球蛋白重链;用免疫荧光法检测到分化后的细胞表达心肌细胞特异性标志物α辅肌动蛋白.小鼠胚胎干细胞分化前表达M₁和M₂毒蕈碱受体,在分化过程中,M₁受体表达逐渐下降, M₂受体表达在第3 d显著下降,此后表达逐渐增加,在第14 d达到高峰;Western印迹结果显示,异丙肾上腺素明显抑制M₂受体的表达,选择性β₁肾上腺素受体拮抗剂CGP20712A明显上调其表达,而选择性β₂肾上腺素受体拮抗剂 ICI118551对其表达无影响.本实验表明,小鼠胚胎干细胞分化心肌细胞表达毒蕈碱受体, β肾上腺素能系统对M₂受体表达有调控作用.     

过表达人p33ING1b促进UV诱导的衰老细胞凋亡

p33 ^ING1b是肿瘤抑制基因ING1的主要表达形式,已有的研究表明,p33^ING1b参与了细胞的生长抑制、凋亡、染色质重塑、DNA损伤修复、肿瘤抑制等.但是,它在细胞衰老过程中的作用目前还不清楚.本研究分析了p33 ^ING1b基因在细胞衰老过程中的表达情况.结果发现,无论在mRNA水平还是在蛋白水平,p33 ^ING1b在衰老细胞中的表达均降低.通过构建和包装含p33^ING1b基因的重组腺病毒,将p33 ^ING1b导入衰老细胞中使其过表达,结果显示,p33^ING1b的过表达明显促进UV诱导的衰老细胞凋亡,提示p33I^NG1b在衰老细胞中的表达下调与衰老细胞抗凋亡有关.     

西酞普兰对慢性应激大鼠额叶皮质神经细胞bax mRNA、bcl-2 mRNA表达及凋亡的影响

目的:探讨西酞普兰对慢性应激大鼠的额叶皮质神经细胞bax、bcl-2 mRNA表达的影响。方法:取24只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组(不进行任何处理)、应激组(应激+生理盐水灌胃)、实验组(应激+西酞普兰灌胃),采用强迫游泳制造慢性应激模型(15 min/d,共4周),用原位杂交技术检测bax、bcl-2 mRNA表达情况,TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡,尼康图像分析(NIS DR)软件测量各指标阳性细胞数量。结果:应激组较对照组,大鼠额叶皮质bax mRNA阳性表达细胞明显增多(P0.01)、染色加深;bcl-2 mRNA阳性表达细胞明显减少(P0.01)且染色变浅,且TUNEL阳性细胞数量增多(P0.01),染色增强。而实验组较应激组大鼠,额叶皮质bax mRNA阳性表达细胞减少(P0.01)、染色变浅,bcl-2 mRNA阳性表达细胞明显增多(P0.05),染色加深,且TUNEL阳性细胞数量减少(P0.01),染色减弱。结论:大鼠额叶皮质神经细胞bax mRNA和bcl-2 mRNA的表达水平受到慢性应激的影响,导致细胞凋亡加剧,西酞普兰能够有效调控额叶皮质神经细胞bax和bcl-2 mRNA的表达水平,拮抗细胞凋亡,这可能是西酞普兰防治慢性应激引起的神经精神疾病的相关机制之一。     

人同源盒基因NKX3.1对前列腺癌细胞的诱导凋亡作用

构建人同源盒基因NKX3.1 cDNA真核表达载体,研究其在前列腺癌细胞PC-3、LNCaP 中的表达及对细胞的促凋亡作用.以人前列腺癌细胞LNCaP细胞中的总RNA为模板,RT-PCR扩增NKX3.1基因全长编码片段,将NKX3.1 cDNA重组到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1（+）中; 将pcDNA3.1-NKX3.1表达载体瞬时转染前列腺癌细胞PC-3和LNCaP 细胞,用RT-PCR和Western印迹检测NKX3.1 cDNA在转录水平和蛋白水平的表达;绘制细胞生长曲线,观察NKX3.1对前列腺癌细胞增殖的抑制作用;用DNA/ladder和流式细胞术检测NKX3.1对前列腺癌细胞凋亡的影响,进一步用RT PCR检测凋亡相关基因caspase3、caspase8、caspase9、Apaf1、survivin和Bcl2表达的变化.人同源盒基因NKX3.1 cDNA真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-NKX3.1经酶切及测序鉴定正确. pcDNA3.1-NKX3.1转染PC-3和LNCaP细胞后,经RT-PCR和Western印迹证明能有效表达NKX3.1.生长曲线显示,前列腺癌细胞转染NKX3.1 cDNA后细胞增殖受到抑制;前列腺癌细胞转染NKX3.1 cDNA 48 h后,DNA电泳呈现具有凋亡特征的DNA ladder;流式细胞术检测出现明显凋亡峰;RT-PCR检测凋亡相关基因.结果显示,caspase3、caspase8、caspase9基因表达明显增加,Bcl2基因表达明显减少.本研究成功构建了真核表达载体pcDNA3.1 NKX3.1, 转染PC3和LNCaP细胞后能有效表达,并对细胞具有诱导凋亡作用     

SLE患者PBMC凋亡状态及相关基因表达的研究

探讨外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)凋亡及其基因调控在系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE)发病机制中的作用.用流式细胞仪(FCM)检测PBMC凋亡百分率及T细胞亚群的凋亡状态;用RT-PCR检测PBMC bcl-2和bax的mRNA表达;用FCM检测凋亡相关基因bcl-2,bax,fas,p53和c-myc的蛋白表达.结果显示,SLE患者PBMC凋亡百分率明显高于正常人,且活动期患者高于非活动期患者.SLE活动期患者CD4+,CD8+T细胞数明显低于正常人;非活动期患者CD8+T细胞数明显低于正常人,而CD4+T细胞数与正常人比较无统计学差异;SLE患者PBMC bcl-2和bax mRNA表达与正常人比较无统计学差异;SLE患者PBMC bcl-2,bax和fas蛋白表达明显高于正常人,p53和c-myc蛋白表达在各组之间无统计学差异.SLE患者PBMC凋亡百分率增高、外周血T细胞亚群的异常及bcl-2,bax和fas蛋白表达增高,在SLE发病机制中可能起了一定的作用.     

白藜芦醇对猪前体脂肪细胞凋亡的作用及机理

旨在研究白藜芦醇对猪前体脂肪细胞凋亡的作用,探讨其分子机制。以50 μmol/L、100 μmol/L、200 μmol/L、400 μmol/L白藜芦醇处理猪前体脂肪细胞,采用Hoechst 33258染色剂染色,光学和荧光显微镜分别观察细胞的形态学变化。semi-qRT-PCR和Western blotting方法检测凋亡相关基因sirt1、caspase-3、bcl-2、bax、p53、NF-κB的mRNA和蛋白的表达变化。结果表明,白藜芦醇处理后,前体脂肪细胞出现明显的细胞凋亡,伴随细胞体积缩小,染色质凝集,核质固缩等特征显现,与对照组相比200 μmol/L处理组细胞的凋亡率显著升高 (P＜0.05)。凋亡相关基因sirt1、caspase-3和bax的mRNA和蛋白表达水平显著上调 (P＜0.05),而bcl-2、p53、NF-κB等基因的表达水平明显下调 (P＜0.05)。进一步证实白藜芦醇特异性地增加sirt1的表达活性,而sirt1的上调影响caspase-3和bcl-2家族因子的活性,同时参与调控p53和NF-κB的转录表达。因此,推测sirt1调控凋亡相关因子表达是白藜芦醇诱导前体脂肪细胞凋亡的关键原因。     

不同品系萼花臂尾轮虫休眠卵的形态特征

对采自青岛和芜湖两地的萼花臂尾轮虫在3种温度(20 ℃、25 ℃和30 ℃)和2种藻类食物浓度(1.0×10⁶和5.0×10⁶ cells·ml^-1)下所产休眠卵的长径、短径和体积等形态特征进行了显微测量、计算和分析.结果表明,2种食物浓度下,培养温度以及培养温度和品系间的交互作用均对轮虫休眠卵的长径、短径和体积具有显著影响.当食物浓度分别为1.0×10⁶和5.0×10⁶ cells·ml^-1时,轮虫在20 ℃下所产休眠卵的长径、短径和体积均最大;在25 ℃和30 ℃下所产休眠卵的短径和体积均最小.品系对轮虫休眠卵长径、短径和体积的影响也取决于食物浓度.当食物浓度为1.0×10⁶ cells·ml^-1时,芜湖品系轮虫的休眠卵长径、短径和体积(156.00 μm、99.95 μm和12 269.11 μm³)均显著大于青岛品系轮虫的休眠卵(145.13 μm、91.97 μm和10 498.19 μm³);而当食物浓度为5.0×10⁶ cells·ml^-1时,芜湖品系轮虫的休眠卵长径、短径和体积(155.68 μm、100.85 μm和12 348.59 μm³)均与青岛品系轮虫的休眠卵(156.63 μm、98.04 μm和12 054.20 μm³)之间无显著差异.两品系中,仅芜湖品系轮虫休眠卵的长径、短径和体积分别与温度呈曲线相关.同一温度下,两品系轮虫的休眠卵体积均随着食物浓度升高而增大;但30 ℃下芜湖品系轮虫所产休眠卵体积却随着食物浓度的升高而减小.     

Expression of p53, p21/waf, bcl-2, bax, Rb and Ki67 proteins in colorectal adenocarcinomas

This study investigated the combined immunoexpression of p53, p21, bcl-2, bax, Rb and Ki67 proteins in colorectal adenocarcinomas and correlated expression patterns with tumour stage and grade. Paraffin sections from 98 cases of colorectal adenocarcinomas were stained by immunohistochemistry for p53, p21, bcl-2, bax, Rb and MIB-1 (Ki67) proteins. In addition, 12 cases of colorectal adenomas and normal colorectal mucosa were studied in parallel. P53, p21, bcl-2, bax, Rb and Ki67 proteins were detected in at least 5% of tumour cells in 63/98, 72/98, 52/98, 96/98 and 98/98 adenocarcinomas, respectively. Comparative study of the normal-adenoma-carcinoma tissues revealed abrogation of the normal immunotopography in adenomas and adenocarcinomas, and considerable modifications, increase or reduction, of the expression of p53, p21, bcl-2, bax, Rb and Ki67 proteins in adenocarcinomas when compared with normal mucosa and adenomas. Statistically significant correlations were found between low bax expression and Dukes C stage of carcinomas, Ki67 expression and carcinoma grade, and Ki67 and Rb expression. P53, p21, bcl-2 and Rb immunoexpression did not correlate with tumour stage or grade. Our findings show that low bax immunoexpression is frequently related to colorectal adenocarcinomas with lymph node metastases suggesting that low levels of bax expression play a role in late stage colorectal cancer. The correlation between Ki67 and Rb expression, in view of previous data that the hyperphosphorylated inactive Rb protein is frequently increased in colorectal adenocarcinomas, suggests that Rb protein is somewhat ineffective in inhibiting the cell-cycle progression in these malignancies. Furthermore, our findings provide immunohistochemical evidence that the abrogation of the normal immunotopography and the modifications of the expression of p53, p21, bcl-2, bax, Rb and Ki67 proteins reflect important events in colorectal oncogenesis.     

A novel copper (II) complex activated both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in liver cancerous cells

Recent advances have put fundamental focus on the application of copper (II) (Cu [II]) complexes as agents for fighting against cancer. To determine whether [Cu(L)(2imi)] complex as a novel Cu complex can induce apoptosis in HepG2 as cancerous cells and L929 as normal cells via extrinsic or intrinsic apoptotic pathways, both cell lines were treated for 24 and 48 hours at IC₅₀ concentrations of [Cu(L)(2imi)] complex. Then, the expression of some apoptosis-related genes including p53, caspase-8, bcl-2, and bax were assayed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The [Cu(L)(2imi)] complex seems to inhibit the expression of bcl-2 in complex-treated HepG2 cancerous cells following the 24- and 48-hour treatment. The complex upregulated the p53, bax, and caspase-8 genes, therefore treatment of HepG2 cancerous cells with [Cu(L)(2imi)] complex induces programmed cell death via the upregulation of relative bax/bcl-2 ratio. Finally, this copper complex triggered apoptosis in HepG2 cells via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathway, whereas treatment of normal L929 cells with this complex induce apoptosis only via intrinsic pathway with the upregulation of relative bax/bcl-2 ratio and does not affect the expression level of caspase-8 gene and does not trigger the extrinsic pathway. Finally, these results obtained from present study confirm the role of a novel Cu complex on the induction of apoptosis process in HepG2 and L929 cells by overexpression of bax, inhibition of bcl-2 and increase of the relative bax/bcl-2 ratio. These results support that the [Cu(L)(2imi)] complex is able to induce apoptosis in cancerous cells, therefore, it has a potential for development as a novel anticancer drug.     

The prognostic significance of apoptosis-related biological markers in Chinese gastric cancer patients

Background and Objective

The prognosis varied among the patients with the same stage, therefore there was a need for new prognostic and predictive factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of apoptosis-related biological markers such as p53, bcl-2, bax, and c-myc, and clinicopathological features and their prognostic value.

Methods

From 1996 to 2007, 4426 patients had undergone curative D2 gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Among 501 patients, the expression levels of p53, bcl-2, bax, and c-myc were examined by immunohistochemistry. The prognostic value of biological markers and the correlation between biological markers and other clinicopathological factors were investigated.

Results

There were 339 males and 162 females with a mean age of 57. The percentages of positive expression of p53, bcl-2, bax, and c-myc were 65%, 22%, 43%, and 58%, respectively. There was a strong correlation between p53, bax, and c-myc expression (P = 0.00). There was significant association between bcl-2, and bax expression (P<0.05). p53 expression correlated with histological grade (P = 0.01); bcl-2 expression with pathological stage (P = 0.00); bax expression with male (P = 0.02), histological grade (P = 0.01), Borrmann type (P = 0.01), tumor location (P = 0.00), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.03), and pathological stage (P = 0.03); c-myc expression with Borrmann type (P = 0.00). bcl-2 expression was related with good survival in univariate analysis (P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that bcl-2 expression and pathological stage were defined as independent prognostic factors. There were significant differences of overall 5-year survival rates according to bcl-2 expression or not in stage IIB (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

The expression of bcl-2 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer; it might be a candidate for the gastric cancer staging system.     

CCL21/CCR7 prevents apoptosis via the ERK pathway in human non-small cell lung cancer cells

Previously, we confirmed that C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) promotes cell proliferation via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, but its role in apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines remains unknown. A549 and H460 cells of NSCLC were used to examine the effect of CCL21/CCR7 on apoptosis using flow cytometry. The results showed that activation of CCR7 by its specific ligand, exogenous chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21), was associated with a significant decline in the percent of apoptosis. Western blot and real-time PCR assays indicated that activation of CCR7 significantly caused upregulation of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 and downregulation of pro-apoptotic bax and caspase-3, but not p53, at both protein and mRNA levels. CCR7 small interfering RNA significantly attenuated these effects of exogenous CCL21. Besides, PD98059, a selective inhibitor of MEK that disrupts the activation of downstream ERK, significantly abolished these effects of CCL21/CCR7. Coimmunoprecipitation further confirmed that there was an interaction between p-ERK and bcl-2, bax, or caspase-3, particularly in the presence of CCL21. These results strongly suggest that CCL21/CCR7 prevents apoptosis by upregulating the expression of bcl-2 and by downregulating the expression of bax and caspase-3 potentially via the ERK pathway in A549 and H460 cells of NSCLC.     

α-晶状体蛋白在高糖培养人RPE细胞中的表达机制研究

目的：研究高糖体外培养环境下人RPE细胞的α晶状体蛋白的表达变化,并排除渗透影响因素下与正常糖浓度组进行比较。方法：对人RPE细胞（ARPE-19）在D-葡萄糖为5.5mM条件下培养和传代3周,然后按培养条件分为3组,即5.5mM葡萄糖,33mM葡萄糖,5.5mM葡萄糖＋27.5mM甘露醇,再分别培养12h,24h,48h后进行总蛋白和RNA提取。进而通过Western blotting对αA晶状体蛋白,αB晶状体蛋白以及凋亡相关蛋白bax,bcl-2进行检测,并通过RT-PCR检测αA-,αB-两种晶状体蛋白的mRNA水平。结果：相对于正常糖浓度组,高糖环境下αA晶状体蛋白,αB晶状体蛋白均表达明显上调,渗透变化对蛋白表达没有明显影响。高糖培养环境下,随着时间延长,bcl-2表达量明显下降,而bax表达量呈上升趋势,αA-,αB-两种晶体蛋白的mRNA变化趋势与蛋白水平一致。结论：高糖培养环境下人视网膜色素上皮细胞的αA-,αB-两种晶状体蛋白均明显表达上调。     

干细胞相关因子在子宫内膜息肉中的表达

探讨ipo13、c-kit、CD146、bcl-2和bax在子宫内膜息肉(endometrial polyp,EP)和正常内膜组织中的表达差异及临床意义。收集本院2010年3-7月行宫腔镜手术取得的40例子宫内膜息肉(病例组)与40例正常内膜组织(对照组)。采用实时荧光定量PCR技术(RT-PCR)检测ipo13、c-kit、bcl-2和bax mRNA的表达;免疫组织化学S-P法检测ipo13、CD146、bcl-2和bax蛋白的表达。无论在月经周期的增生期或分泌期,EP中ipo13、c-kit、CD146和bax mRNA和蛋白的表达均低于同期正常子宫内膜组织,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),bcl-2均比同期正常子宫内膜增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。子宫内膜干/祖细胞活性异常和子宫内膜凋亡减少与子宫内膜息肉发病有关,其中子宫内膜干/祖细胞活性异常使内膜凋亡减少可能是EP发病的主要因素。     

Prognostic factors affecting disease-free survival rate following surgical resection of primary breast cancer.

In order to identify the prognostic factors that significantly influence the disease-free survival rate after surgical resection of primary breast cancers, we determined tumour and lymph node grades, and immunohistochemical staining for estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR), c-erbB-2, p53, bcl-2, bax and PCNA in 76 patients. Univariate analysis showed that increased grade of tumour and lymph nodes, negative immunostaining for ER, positive immunostaining for c-erbB-2, and a high PCNA index (> or = 30%) negatively influenced the disease-free survival rate, but PR, p53, bcl-2 and bax had no predictive value. Although p53 was not an independent prognostic factor by itself, the combination of p53, bcl-2, and bax proved to correlate with the disease-free survival, with the best prognosis noted in tumours negative for p53 and positive for both bcl-2 and bax, intermediate prognosis in tumours negative for p53 and positive for either bcl-2 or bax and worst prognosis in tumors negative for p53 as well as bcl-2 and bax. Tumour grade correlated positively with PCNA index, while positive staining for ER correlated negatively with tumour grade as well as with PCNA index, although this was statistically insignificant. Immunostaining of breast cancers for bcl-2 correlated negatively with tumour grade and PCNA index. Immunostaining for c-erbB-2 correlated positively with PCNA but not with tumour grade. Immunostaining for p53 tended to correlate positively with PCNA, but not with tumour grade. Immunostaining for PR and bax did not correlate with tumour grade and PCNA index. These results suggest that in addition to tumour size and lymph node involvement, immunostaining for ER, c-erbB-2, and a high PCNA index are important prognostic factors in human breast cancer. Wild-type p53 with preserved bcl-2 and bax gene products is also a favorable prognostic factor indicating breast cancer at an early stage of cancer progression.