Expression of E-cadherin and a-catenin in Thyroid Carcinomas.
- Author:
Sang Jin KIM
;
Min Chul LEE
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Thyroid carcinoma;
E-cadherin;
a-catenin
- MeSH:
Adhesives;
Cadherins*;
Cytoplasm;
Cytoskeleton;
Humans;
Immunohistochemistry;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Thyroid Gland*;
Thyroid Neoplasms*
- From:Journal of Korean Society of Endocrinology
1997;12(4):533-540
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Cell-cell adhesion in tissue is mainly regulated by hornotypic interaction of cadherin molecules, which are anchored to the cytoskeleton via cytoplasmic proteins, including a-and / 3-catenin. Loss of E-cadherin and catenin have been attributed a pathogenetic role in tumor invasion. METHODS: We examined the expression of E-cadherin and a-catenin in human thyroid carcinoma by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Normal tissue strongly expressed E-cadherin and a-catenin. However, E-cadherin and a-catenin expression were frequently reduced in thyroid carcinoma (E-cadherin: 62.5%, a-catenin: 81.3%). But the expression of E-cadherin and a-catenin in tumors with metastatic spreading were not different with tumors without metastasis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that reduced E-eadherin and a-catenin expression may be a sensitive marker for disturbance in the adhesive function of the junctional complex, but further evaluation with more cases is needed for confirmation of the result of the same degree of expression in tumors with metastasis.
