The nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 and 2 (NFAT1 and NFAT2) are transcription factors shown to be upregulated and correlated with the severity of several malignancies. This study aimed to examine the expression of NFAT1 and NFAT2 in grades I-IV glioma and its correlation with tumor grade using immunostaining and Western blot. The samples were glioma tissues (n=52) from Ramathibodi Hospital, Thailand. Both NFAT1 and NFAT2 were overexpressed in the tumor cells of grades I-IV gliomas shown by co-staining with olig2, a marker for glioma cells. High grade gliomas appeared to express more NFAT2 levels compared with low grade tumors. No NFAT was observed in microglia/macrophages illustrated by CD68, a microglial marker. Moreover, there was co-localization of NFAT2 and VEGF, a prominent angiogenic factor in grade IV tumors. The results suggested the roles of NFATs in the progression of glioma and the association with angiogenesis.
