title: Cell-cell adhesion in the normal ovary and ovarian tumors of epithelial origin; an exception to the rule.
abstract: Cells are held together either by direct cell-cell contact or adhesion to extra-cellular matrix. Cell-cell adhesion in epithelial cell sheets consists of junctions, i.e. tight-, adherens- and gap-junctions. The adherens junctions, which are build up by the cadherin/catenin complex, are the main topic of this review, especially the aspect of its role in ovarian tumor biology. The ovarian surface epithelium is the origin for approximately 90% of the malignant ovarian tumors. The tumors arise from the inclusion cysts, localized in the ovarian stroma and grow solid, cystic or in mixed formations. Intra-abdominal spread of the ovarian cancer is common and this is a process that theoretically could be closely connected with impaired cell-cell adhesion. However, as we stand today, descriptive and functional studies on the cadherin-catenin complex and its cell signaling role in ovarian tumorigenesis reveals data that suggests a conversion of the mesothelial-like cells of the ovarian surface to a more epithelial phenotype with normal cell-cell adhesion prior to tumor differentiation. In later stages, invasive ovarian tumors still strongly express several cadherins, which are contrary to many other tumors, i.e. prostate and thyroid adenocarcinomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. karin.sundfeldt@obgyn.gu.se
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sundfeldt
mesh_terms: D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000502:physiology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins