Expression Patterns of E-cadherin and beta-catenin According to Clinicopathological Characteristics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
- Author:
Si Hyun BAE
1
;
Eun Sun JUNG
;
Young Min PARK
;
Jeong Won JANG
;
Jong Young CHOI
;
Se Hyun CHO
;
Seung Kew YOON
;
Byung Min AHN
;
Sang Bok CHA
;
Kyu Won CHUNG
;
Hee Sik SUN
;
Doo Ho PARK
;
Byung Kee KIM
;
Dong Goo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. jychoi@cmc.cuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Neoplasm/Liver/Hepatocellular carcinoma;
E-cadherin;
beta-catenin;
Immunohistochemistry
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Cadherins/*metabolism;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*metabolism/pathology;
Cytoskeletal Proteins/*metabolism;
English Abstract;
Female;
Human;
Immunohistochemistry;
Liver Neoplasms/*metabolism/pathology;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Trans-Activators/*metabolism
- From:The Korean Journal of Hepatology
2002;8(3):297-303
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: E-cadherin is involved in intercellular binding and cellular polarity formation. beta-catenin plays a fundamental role in regulation of the E-cadherin cell adhesion complex. The abnormalities of the components of the complex may disrupt this adhesive function. We investigated the expression patterns of E-cadherin and beta-catenin to determine the clinical significance of these proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS/METHODS: Thirty-six hepaticellular carcinoma tissues and adjacent non-tumor specimens were analyzed. Subcellular distribution of E-cadherin and beta-catenin was examined by immunohistochemistry staining. We evaluated the patterns of the expression, and investigated the relationship with the cause of HCC; level of AFP; TNM stage; tumor size; growth types; metastasis; differentiation grade of HCC; and presence of portal vein thrombosis. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry showed that all non-tumor tissues had membranous type staining of E-cadherin. All non-tumor tissues showed cytoplasmic type staining of beta-catenin, but no beta-catenin accumulation in nuclei was found. 58% (21/36) of HCC showed positive expression of E-cadherin in cytoplasmic membrane. The cytoplasmic expression of beta-catenin in HCC was 83% (30/36); nuclear expression in 14% (5/36); and no staining in 3% (1/36). Nuclear beta-catenin expression was observed in none (0/4) of the well-differentiated HCC; 17%(3/9) of moderate-differentiated HCC; and 17%(2/6) of poorly-differentiated HCC. There were no relationships between E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression with other clinicopathologic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of cytoplasmic staining of E-cadherin and nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin were observed in HCC. Nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin was not found in well differentiated HCC but was found in poorly differentiated HCC.
