Intracytoplasmic localization of cathepsin D reflects the invasive potential of gastric carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of cathepsin D in the invasiveness of human gastric cancer.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical cathepsin D staining was performed in samples from 29 early gastric adenocarcinomas (papillary or tubular adenocarcinoma) and 15 gastric adenomas, and their adjacent nonneoplastic gastric mucosa. We classified the patterns of cathepsin D immunostaining into four types; type A, fine granular staining in the apical portion: type B, intense coarse granular staining in the apical portion; type C, fine granular staining in the basal portion; and type D, diffuse granular staining throughout the cytoplasm.


RESULTS
All of the nonneoplastic mucosa showed an apical cytoplasmic distribution pattern (type A or type B). However, 20% (2/10) of low-grade gastric adenomas and 60% (3/5) of high-grade gastric adenomas showed an abnormal staining pattern. i.e., types C and D. Moreover, 82% (9/11) definite intramucosal gastric adenocarcinomas, and the majority of gastric adenocarcinomas with submucosal invasion [83% (15/18) of those in the mucosal part and 100% (14/ 14) of those in the invasive submucosal part] showed an abnormal staining pattern (types C and D). Interestingly, most of the carcinoma cells invading the stroma and lymphatics showed the type D staining pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that an abnormal cytoplasmic staining pattern of cathepsin D may reflect the invasive potential of gastric carcinoma cells.
Kashida
H
H
Department of Surgical and Molecular Pathology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Shimotsuga, Tochigi, Japan.
Kawamata
H
H
Ichikawa
K
K
Morita
K
K
Imura
J
J
Fujimori
T
T
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000502:physiology*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D002402:Cathepsin D