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Expression of the E‐cadherin/catenin (α‐, β‐, and γ‐) complex correlates with the macroscopic appearance of early gastric cancer
Author(s) -
OheneAbuakwa Yaw,
Noda Masao,
Perenyi Mikolash,
Kobayashi Noriaki,
Kashima Kei,
Hattori Takanori,
Pignatelli Massimo
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/1096-9896(2000)9999:9999<::aid-path723>3.0.co;2-v
Subject(s) - cadherin , catenin , cancer , expression (computer science) , medicine , cancer research , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , signal transduction , genetics , computer science , wnt signaling pathway , cell , programming language
E‐cadherin and its associated cytoplasmic proteins, α‐, β‐, and γ‐catenins, play an essential role in the control of epithelial differentiation. We have previously shown that loss or down‐regulation of E‐cadherin/catenin correlates with poor survival in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of E‐cadherin and catenins in early gastric cancers (EGCs). Immunohistochemical staining for E‐cadherin and α‐, β‐, and γ‐catenins was performed on 41 paraffin‐embedded gastrectomy specimens of EGC using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The pattern of expression and cellular localization of the E‐cadherin/catenin complex in tumour cells were correlated with the macroscopic appearance of the tumour according to the Japanese Endoscopic Society classification. The tumours were classified as follows: three type I (protruding) and 38 type II (superficial), of which ten were type IIa (elevated), one was type IIb (flat), and 27 were type IIc (depressed). E‐cadherin and α‐, β‐, and γ‐catenins were expressed at the cell–cell junctions in normal mucosa. Forty out of 41 tumours showed abnormal expression (loss of membranous immunoreactivity and/or nuclear staining) of at least one component of the E‐cadherin catenin complex. Loss of E‐cadherin immunoreactivity was more frequently seen in type IIb (1/1, 100%) and type IIc (27/27, 100%) than in type I (1/3, 33%) and type IIa (1/10, 10%) ( p <0.01). Abnormal expression of E‐cadherin and α‐catenin was more frequently seen in diffuse‐type than in intestinal type tumours ( p <0.05). Abnormal immunoreactivity of β‐ and γ‐catenin, including nuclear localization, was observed in 34% and 7.3% of tumours, respectively, but there was no significant correlation with tumour type or endoscopic appearance. In conclusion, abnormal expression of the E‐cadherin/catenin complex occurs in EGC and seems to correlate with macroscopic appearances. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.