Author(s): YANG Hongchao, WANG Jian, ZHANG Wentong, LI Aiwu, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University
Pages: 15-19
Year: 2014 Issue:  9
Journal: Journal of Shandong University(Health Sciences)
Keyword:  Hirschsprungs disease; Neuroligin2 gene; Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions;
Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of Neuroligin2 in normal and spastic segments of colon in children with hirschsprung’s disease( HD),and to explore the correlation of Neuroligin2 with pathogenesis of HD. Methods A total of 42 resected colon specimens of HD cases treated during 2012 to 2013 were enrolled. Normal colonic segments were served as control group,while the transitional and spastic segments as experimental group. Neuroligin2 expression was detected with immunohistochemical staining,Western blotting,and qRT-PCR. Results Western blotting revealed that Neuroligin2 protein in spastic segments( 0. 012 ± 0. 001) was lower than that in transitional segments and normal segments( 0. 039 ± 0. 001 and 0. 057 ± 0. 002,respectively; P < 0. 05). qRT-PCR revealed that Neuroligin2 mRNA level was consistent with the protein expression. A large number of Neuroligin2 positive gangliocytes were observed in the control group,while none was observed in spastic segments. Significantly fewer Neuroligin2 positive gangliocytes were found in the transitional segments. Conclusion Neuroligin2 is significantly down-regulated in spastic colon segments,which may be associated with the pathogenesis of HD.