Correlation of E- and P-cadherin expression with differentiation grade and mode of invasion in gingival carcinoma.
The expression pattern of two Ca(2+)-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules, E- and P-cadherin (CD), in 25 primary gingival squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) was examined immunohistochemically. The occurrence of reduced-type expression of both E- and P-CD increased significantly with the grade of carcinoma differentiation, culminating in a complete loss of P-CD in poorly differentiated SCC. The occurrence of reduced-type P-CD expression also increased significantly with the mode of invasion, as was the case with E-CD. Furthermore, no P-CD molecules were detected in one of the six SCC having a diffuse, cord-like invasion and in three of the six having a diffuse type of invasion. These findings suggest that the down-regulation of these cell adhesion molecules closely correlates with the differentiation grade and mode of invasion of gingival SCC.
Sakaki
T
T
First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Osaka Dental University, Japan.
Wato
M
M
Kaji
R
R
Mushimoto
K
K
Shirasu
R
R
Tanaka
A
A
D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000503:physiopathology
D015820:Cadherins