Objective To investigate the mechanism of the resistance of pancreatic cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)mediated apoptosis. MethodsThe expression of TRAIL receptor-4 (TRAIL-R4) in normal pancreas tissue and pancreatic cancer was analyzed by using Northern blotting, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.ResultsTRAIL-R4 mRNA and protein were expressed at moderate to high levels in human pancreatic cancer, but demonstrated weak to negative in the normal pancreas. Moreover, pancreatic cancer cells showed b TRAIL-R4 immunostaining throughout the tumor mass. Conclusion TRAIL-R4 levels are significantly different in pancreatic cancer in comparison to the normal pancreas. These findings give new insights into the resistance mechanisms of pancreatic cancer cells towards TRAILmediated apoptosis.
