Transcription factors GATA-4 and GATA-6 in normal and neoplastic human gastrointestinal mucosa

BMC Gastroenterology

Table 4 The expression patterns for GATA-4, GATA-6 and Ihh in gastrointestinal neoplasias

Tissue	Diagnosis	GATA-4	GATA-6	Ihh
Esophagus (n = 9)
	Barrett's esophagus	+++	+++	++
Stomach (n = 8)
	Intestinal metaplasia	+++	+++	++
	Neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia	++	+++	-
Colon (n = 15)
	Adenoma, low grade dysplasia	-	+	+
	Adenoma, high grade dysplasia	-	++	++
	Adenocarcinoma, low/moderate grade	-	+	-
	Adenocarcinoma, high grade	-	+	-

The expression patterns are based on the number of positive cells detected and the intensity of staining:
- no expression
+ individual positive cells or small areas with low expression
++ patches of moderate expression
+++ large areas of moderate or strong expression

ISSN: 1471-230X