The expression of E-cadherin-catenin complex in adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the E-cadherin-catenin (E-cad-cat) complex in human salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and determine the effects of E-cad-cat expression on tumor differentiation, metastasis, and invasion, as well as its clinical significance.


METHODS
The expression of adhesion molecules, which included E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, and beta-catenin, on 10 cases of normal salivary glands, and 50 cases of human salivary ACC were investigated by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Strong and stable expression of E-cad-cat complex showed in normal salivary glands tissues. However, weaker expression and even complete absence, of the positive signals were shown on all ACC cases. Coexpression of E-cad-cat were detected in 29 (58%) of the 50 ACC specimens. Positive staining of E-cad-cat complex were detected in 7 (39%) of the 18 ACC primary sites that had aggressive phenotype of nerve and vasculature.


CONCLUSIONS
Strong positive signals of E-cad-cat complex are shown in normal salivary glands, and the down-regulated expression were observed in ACC cases. The expression of E-cad-cat complex is associated with a more aggressive phenotype on nerve and vasculature. No association with various histopathologic subtypes was found. However, absent or low E-cad expression was observed more frequently in solid carcinomas than in cribriform or tubular carcinomas. Down-regulation of E-cad-cat complex may be associated with canceration of normal salivary glands. The expression levels of E-cad-cat were positively correlated to the differentiation of ACC tumor cells.
Zhang
Z Y
ZY
School of Stomatology, Shanghai Second Medical University (SSMU), 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 2000111, P. R. China.
Wu
Y Q
YQ
Zhang
W G
WG
Tian
Z
Z
Cao
J
J
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051176:beta Catenin
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; C495273:CTNNA1 protein, human; C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051176:beta Catenin