LOXL2 and its relation with epithelial-mesenchymal transition cholangiocarcinoma / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expression of LOXL2 protein (lysyl oxidase like-2 protein) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related markers in cholangiocarcinoma tissues and its relation with the malignant features. Methods The expression of LOXL2、E-cadherin and Vimentin protein in 48 cases of cholangiocarcinoma tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and compared with the clinicopathological data of cholangiocarcinoma. Results The positive expression rate in cholangiocarcinoma was 71% ( 34/48 ) for LOXL2 and 46% ( 22/48 ) for Vimentin, the absent expression rate was 52% (25/48) for E-cadherin. The positive expression rate of LOXL2 was significantly associated with the absent expression of epithelium markers E-cadherin ( r = 0. 394, P < 0. 05 ) and the positive expression of fibroblast markers Vimentin ( r = 0. 406, P < 0. 05 ). There was no correlation between the expression of LOXL2 and patients gender, age, and cancer differentiation, but a significant correlation with tumor metastasis was found ( P < 0. 05 ). Conclusions LOXL2 protein overexpression in cholangiocarcinoma may accelerate invasion of cholangiocarcinoma through induced EMT.