Differential expression of the cell-adhesion molecule Nr-CAM in hyperplastic and neoplastic human pancreatic tissue.
Nr-CAM is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of neural cell-adhesion molecules initially thought to be expressed mainly in the brain. Here we show the presence of Nr-CAM protein in normal human pancreas and characterize its expression in hyperplastic and neoplastic human pancreatic tissue. Nr-CAM is expressed on the cell surface in normal pancreatic acini with enhanced staining at cell-cell junctions, and weak or no surface staining is seen on normal ductal cells. Nr-CAM expression is markedly up-regulated in intraductal hyperplasia. Expression was well maintained in well or moderately differentiated carcinoma but was reduced or absent from most poorly differentiated tumors. In addition, 4 of 4 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines tested demonstrated little or no Nr-CAM expression. This differential regulation of Nr-CAM expression suggests that it may be involved in the pathogenesis and invasive/metastatic behavior of pancreatic cancers. HUM PATHOL 32:396-400.
Dhodapkar
K M
KM
Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Kaplan Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
Friedlander
D
D
Scholes
J
J
Grumet
M
M
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C491152:NRCAM protein, human