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.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adhesives , Cadherins , Cytoplasm , Cytoskeleton , Immunohistochemistry , Neoplasm Metastasis , Thyroid Gland , Thyroid NeoplasmsABSTRACT
Objective To examine the cellular distribution and the role of a-catenin in epidermal tumors. Methods Expression of a-catenin was investigate d by immunohistochemical staining in 20 patients with Bowen′s disease (BD), 20 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 20 basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and 40 normal cont rols. Results Expression of a-catenin was strongest on the cell membranes of b asal cells, but nearly negative in the cytoplasm and the nuclei of epidermal cel ls in normal controls. Expression of a-catenin was significantly lower on the cell membranes in SCC and BCC cells than that in normal epidermal cells (P