Objective: Analysis of differential gene expression profiles by cDNA microarray in pancreatic carcinoma with or without lymphatic metastasis.
Methods: cDNA microarray was prepared by spotting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of 4 000 human genes onto specially treated glass slides. The cDNA probes were prepared by labeling normal tissue mRNA and cancer tissue mRNA with Cy3-dUTP and Cy5-dUTP, separately through reverse transcription. The mixed probes were, then, hybridized to the cDNA microarray. The chips were scanned by ScanArray 3000 laser scanner (General Scanning, Inc) on two wavelengths. The acquired image was analyzed by ImaGene 3.0 software (BioDiscovery, Inc). The intensity of each spot on the two wavelengths represented the quantity of Cy3-dUTP and Cy5-dUTP, with Cy5 to Cy3 ratio computed on each.
Results: Fifty-six genes (including 24 previously reported) exhibited differential expressions in 2 specimens of pancreatic carcinoma with lymphatic metastasis and 2 without.
Conclusion: cDNA microarray provides an promising approach to specific gene expressions of the presence of lymphatic metastasis in human pancreatic carcinoma.