Increased expression of Akt2 and activity of PI3K and cell proliferation with the ascending of tumor grade of human gliomas

Objective: To study the expression of Akt2 and activation of PI3K in different grades of human gliomas and correlate the Akt2 expression with the proliferation activity of gliomas. Methods: Akt2 expression and PI3K activity were examined in 48 different grades of human glioma specimens and six normal brain tissue samples by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The proliferation activity of tumors was evaluated by Ki-67 nuclear antigen labeling index (Ki-67 LI) using immunostaining. Results: In contrast to the normal brain tissues, Akt2 expression and PI3K activity were greatly increased with the ascending of tumor grade and correlated positively with the proliferation activity of gliomas. Conclusion: Akt2 may play a critical role in the development of gliomas and present a potential therapeutic target for malignant gliomas. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.