Open AccessSequential Decrease in Tight Junctions as Revealed by 7H6 Tight Junction‐associated Protein during Rat Hepatocarcinogenesis
Author(s) -
Zhong Yun,
Enomoto Katsuhiko,
Tobioka Hirotoshi,
Konishi Yasuhiro,
Satoh Masaaki,
Mori Michio
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
japanese journal of cancer research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 0910-5050
DOI - 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1994.tb02366.x
Subject(s) - tight junction , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , chemistry , cancer research
A sequential decrease in the number of hepatocyte tight junctions during the course of rat hepatocarcinogenesis was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry with a new 7H6 monoclonal antibody generated in our laboratory. Semiqnantitative analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that the expression of 7H6 antigen was reduced in hyperplastic foci, hyperplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) to 43%, 28% and 25%, respectively, compared to corresponding normal liver tissues. 7H6 antigen was scarce in HCC with a trabecular pattern, whereas it was expressed intensely at the apical and basolateral membrane of HCC with a glandular pattern. Immunoblot analysis of 7H6 expression in hepatocellular carcinomas showed a decrease roughly coincident with that shown by immunohistochemistry. These results indicated, for the first time, that tight junctions decrease progressively during carcinogenesis, leading to disruption of cellular polarity and cellular adhesiveness.