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The pattern of expression of the microtubule‐binding protein RHAMM/IHABP in mammary carcinoma suggests a role in the invasive behaviour of tumour cells
Author(s) -
Assmann Volker,
Gillett Cheryl E.,
Poulsom Richard,
Ryder Kenneth,
Hart Ian R.,
Hanby Andrew M.
Publication year - 2001
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/path.941
Subject(s) - biology , immunohistochemistry , cytoplasm , pathology , microtubule , population , cell , carcinoma , intracellular , invasive lobular carcinoma , motility , cancer research , cancer , breast cancer , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , invasive ductal carcinoma , genetics , environmental health
Intracellular hyaluronic acid binding protein (RHAMM/IHABP), which was recently identified as a novel member of the microtubule‐associated protein (MAP) family, has the capacity to interact not only with microtubules but also with microfilaments. The molecule, which is known to be expressed in mammary carcinoma cells, might, through virtue of its intracellular interactions, influence tumour cell morphology and motility. This possibility was examined in a series of 189 mammary carcinomas by immunohistochemistry, using a polyclonal antibody to RHAMM/IHABP. Tumours were selected to include approximately equal numbers of consecutive grade I, II and III ductal carcinomas and invasive lobular carcinomas. Higher grade tumours had significantly lower expression of RHAMM/IHABP in the cytoplasm ( p =0.02), but significantly increased expression in trabeculae ( p =0.002) and further enhancement at the tumour island edges ( p =0.002). Tumours of infiltrating lobular type had stronger expression in the overall cytoplasm ( p =0.02) and trabeculae ( p =0.08) than carcinomas of ductal type. The presence of strong trabecular expression was associated with a reduced overall survival time ( p =0.017). These results suggest that RHAMM/IHABP expression may contribute to the motility and invasiveness of a tumour cell sub‐population in breast cancers. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.