黏著因子E-CADHERIN, CATENIN族群與胃癌的關係

E-cadherin and catenins regulated intercellular adhesion of the epithelial tissue. Dysfunction of this cell-cell adhesion system has been linked to invasiveness and differentiation of tumors, including those of gastrointestinal tract. Few data exist, however, regarding expression of these molecules in early gastric carcinoma (EGO). This study aimed to characterize expression of cadherms and catonins in EGO and their relation to clinicopatholoic characteristics and H. pylon infection, we use immunohistochemical studies to analyse the E-cadherin-catenin complex. The results show E-cadherin, α-,β-, and γ -catenins were strongly expressed in normal epithelium but abnormal immunoreactivity of at least one of these four proteins was noted in 48 (90.6%) tumors. Only 5 cases with intestinal type tumors had intact expression of E-cadherin α-,β-, and γ -catenins. Abnormal immunoreactivity in the tumor tissue was observed in 18 (34.0%) for E-cadherin, in 35(66.0%) fora-catenin, in 20(37.7%) forj3-catenin, and in 37(69.8%) for γ -catenin. Diffuse type tumors had a higher frequency of abnormal E-cadherin (60.9% vs. 13.3%, p<0.0005), α-catenin (82.6% vs. 53.3%, p<0.05) and γ -catenin (91.3% vs. 53.3%, p<0.005) expressions than intestinal type. Ten tumors with lymph node metastasis showed a relatively higher frequency of reduced expression of E-cadherin (70% vs. 25.6%, p<0.05) but a lower frequency of reduced expression of j3-catenin (10% vs. 44.1%, p=0.07) than those without metastasis. No significant association was found between cadherin/catenin expression and depth of invasion or H. pylon status. In conclusion, It was concluded that abnormal expression of E-cadherin and catenin-mediated cell-cell adhesion system occurs frequently in gastric carcinogenesis, particularly in early stage of diffuse type. Their close correlations with histologic subtypes and lymph node metastasis suggest they may play an important role in the genesis of histologic differentiation and mode of metastasis. Objective: E-cadherin and catenins regulate intercellular adhesion of the epithelial tissue. Dysfunction of this cell-cell adhesion system has been linked to invasiveness and differentiation of tumors, including those of gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to characterize expression of cadherins and catenins in EGO and their relation to clinicopathologic characteristics and H. pylon infection. Results: E-cadherin, α-,β-, and γ -catenins were strongly expressed in normal epithelium but abnormal immunoreactivity of at least one of these four proteins was noted in 48 (90.6%) tumors. Only 5 cases with intestinal type tumors had intact expression of Ecadherin α-,β-, and γ -catenins. Abnormal immunoreactivity in the tumor tissue was observed in 18 (34.0%) for E-cadherin, in 35 (66.0%) fora-catenin, in 20 (37.7%) forj3- catenin, and in 37 (69.8%) for γ-catenin. Diffuse type tumors had a higher frequency of abnormal E-cadherin (60.9% vs. 13.3%, p<0.0005),a-catenin (82.6% vs. 53.3%, p<0.05) and γ -catenin (91.3% vs. 53.3%, p<0.005) expressions than intestinal type. Ten tumors with lymph node metastasis showed a relatively higher frequency of reduced expression of E-cadherin (70% vs. 25.6%, p