Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions of Bile Duct Epithelial Cells in Primary Hepatolithiasis.
10.3346/jkms.2010.25.7.1066
- Author:
Lijin ZHAO
1
;
Rigao YANG
;
Long CHENG
;
Maijian WANG
;
Yan JIANG
;
Shuguang WANG
Author Information
1. Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China. sgwang90@yahoo.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition;
Primary Hepatolithiasis;
Bile Duct Epithelial Cell;
Transforming Growth Factor beta1;
Immunohistochemistry
- MeSH:
Adult;
*Bile Ducts/cytology/metabolism/pathology;
Biological Markers/*metabolism;
Cell Differentiation/*physiology;
Epithelial Cells/cytology/*physiology;
Epithelium/physiology;
Female;
*Gallstones/metabolism/pathology;
Humans;
Liver Diseases/metabolism/*pathology;
Male;
Mesoderm/cytology/*physiology;
Middle Aged
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2010;25(7):1066-1070
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to explore the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the pathogenesis of hepatolithiasis. Thirty-one patients with primary hepatolithiasis were enrolled in this study. Expressions of E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, alpha-SMA, vimentin, S100A4, TGF-beta1 and P-smad2/3 in hepatolithiasis bile duct epithelial cells were examined by immunohistochemistry staining. The results showed that the expressions of the epithelial markers E-cadherin and alpha-catenin were frequently lost in hepatolithiasis (32.3% and 25.9% of cases, respectively), while the mesenchymal markers vimentin, alpha-SMA and S100A4 were found to be present in hepatolithiasis (35.5%, 29.0%, and 32.3% of cases, respectively). The increased mesenchymal marker expression was correlated with decreased epithelial marker expression. The expressions of TGF-beta1 and P-smad2/3 in hepatolithiasis were correlated with the expression of S100A4. These data indicate that TGF-beta1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition might be involved in the formation of hepatolithiasis.
