Upregulated expression of Ezrin and invasive phenotype in malignantly transformed esophageal epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between ezrin expression and invasive phenotype formation in malignantly transformed esophageal epithelial cells.


METHODS
The experimental cell line employed in the present study was originated form the progressive induction of a human embryonic esophageal epithelial cell line (SHEE) by the E6E7 genes of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 18. The cells at the 35(th) passage after induction called SHEEIMM were in a state of immortalized phase and used as the control, while that of the 85(th) passage denominated as SHEEMT represented the status of cells that were malignantly transformed. The expression changes of ezrin and its mRNA in both cell passages were respectively analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Invasive phenotype was assessed in vivo by inoculating these cells into the severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice via subcutaneous and intraperitoneal injection, and in vitro by inoculating them on the surface of the amnion membranes, which then was determined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Upregulated expression of ezrin protein and its mRNA was observed in SHEEMT compared with that in SHEEIMM cells. The SHEEMT cells inoculated in SCID mice were observed forming tumor masses in both visceral organs and soft tissues in a period of 40 days with a special propensity to invading mesentery and pancreas, but did not exhibit hepatic metastases. Pathologically, these tumor cells harboring larger nucleus, nucleolus and less cytoplasm could infiltrate and destroy adjacent tissues. In the in vitro study, the inoculated SHEEMT cells could grow in cluster on the amniotic epithelial surface and intrude into the amniotic stroma. In contrast, unrestricted growth and invasiveness were not found in SHEEIMM cells in both in vivo and in vitro experiment.


CONCLUSIONS
The upregulated ezrin expression is one of the important factors that are possibly associated with the invasive phenotype formation in malignantly transformed esophageal epithelial cells.
Shen
Zhong-Ying
ZY
Department of Pathology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou 515031, Guangdong Province, China. zhongyingshen@yahoo.com
Xu
Li-Yan
LY
Chen
Ming-Hua
MH
Li
En-Min
EM
Li
Jin-Tao
JT
Wu
Xian-Ying
XY
Zeng
Yi
Y
D000818:Animals; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D010641:Phenotype; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D000099149:Ezrin
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D000099149:Ezrin