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Differential expression of the anterior gradient protein‐2 is a conserved feature during morphogenesis and carcinogenesis of the biliary tree
Author(s) -
Lepreux Sébastien,
BioulacSage Paulette,
Chevet Eric
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2010.02438.x
Subject(s) - morphogenesis , feature (linguistics) , carcinogenesis , tree (set theory) , protein expression , biology , expression (computer science) , microbiology and biotechnology , differential (mechanical device) , computational biology , cancer , genetics , computer science , mathematics , physics , gene , mathematical analysis , linguistics , philosophy , programming language , thermodynamics
Background: The anterior gradient protein‐2 (AGR2) is overexpressed in numerous tumours such as breast, prostate or pancreas carcinomas and recently reported in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aims: In the present study, we further describe AGR2 expression patterns all along the adult and fetal biliary tree and in cholangiocarcinomas. Methods: Immunohistochemistry using anti‐AGR2 antibodies was performed in adult and fetal livers, gallbladders as well as cholangiocarcinomas and HCCs. Results: In adult and fetal liver, the tall epithelial cells covering the large bile ducts as well as gallbladder epithelial cells showed strong AGR2 staining. Hilar and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, and a subset of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, which displayed a morphological mucus‐excreting feature, also displayed AGR2 expression. In contrast, AGR2 expression was not detected in typical HCCs. Conclusion: Our study shows that the differential expression of AGR2 is a phenotypic feature of the cholangiocytes covering different segments of the biliary tree. This pattern of expression is conserved during fetal and adult life, as well as during biliary carcinogenesis.