[Correlation of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and gamma-catenin gene expression with the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To study the association of the expressions of E-cadherin, beta;- and gamma-catenins in gastric carcinoma tissues with the invasion and metastasis of the tumor.


METHODS
From 60 patients with gastric carcinoma, the paraffin-embedded specimens including 60 carcinoma tissues, 20 precancerous lesions (10 intestinal metaplasia and 10 dysplasia specimens) and 20 corresponding normal tissues adjacent to the carcinomas were obtained for detecting E-cadherin, beta;- and gamma-catenin expressions by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Positive staining for E-cadherin, beta- and gamma-catenins was clearly observed on the cellular membrane throughout the epithelium in all the normal and metaplastic gastric mucosa. In 1 out of the 10 specimens of dysplastic mucosa, the staining for E-cadherin and beta;-catenin was absent but gamma-catenin staining appeared normal. Up to 80% (48/60) of the gastric carcinoma specimens presented abnormal staining for at least one of the components of the cadherin- catenin complex, showing a close correlation to Ming's classification, TNM staging and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The rates of abnormal expression were 6.67% for E-cadherin, 55% for beta;-catenin and 58.33% for gamma-catenin.


CONCLUSIONS
Abnormal expression of E-cadherin, beta;- and gamma-catenins results in loss of epithelial cell-to-cell adhesion, with leads to uncontrolled cell growth, and may therefore participate in malignant transformation of the cells, and closely associates with the invasive growth and metastasis of human gastric carcinoma.
Wang
Cai-xia
CX
Center of Tumor Research and Treatment, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Ji'nan 250021, China.
Chen
Jing
J
Yang
Zhe
Z
Song
Wei
W
Du
Zhao-lin
ZL
Li
Zhong-hua
ZH
D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051180:Desmoplakins; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics*; D051176:beta Catenin; D051185:gamma Catenin
C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D051180:Desmoplakins; C495292:JUP protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin; D051185:gamma Catenin