title: [The expression of E-cadherin-catenin complex in human salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma]
abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the E-cadherin-catenin(E-cad-cat) complex in human salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC) and determine the effects of E-cad-cat expression on tumor differentiation,metastasis and invasion as well as their clinical significance. METHODS:The expression of adhesion molecules,which included E-cadherin,alpha-catenin and beta-catenin,in 10 cases of normal salivary glands,50 cases of human salivary ACC was investigated by immunohistochemistry.RESULT:Co-expression of E-cadherin,alpha-catenin and beta-catenin was detected in 29(58%) of the 50 ACC specimens.Positive staining of E-cad-cat complex was detected in 7(39%) of the 18 ACC primary sites which had aggressive phenotype of nerve and vasculature.CONCLUSION:Strong positive signals of E-cad-cat complex were showed in normal salivary glands,and the down  regulation expression was observed in ACC cases,The expression of E-cad-cat complex was associated with a more aggressive phenotype on nerve and vasculature.No association with various histopathologic subtypes was found;Down-regulation of E-cad-cat complex may be associated with canceration of normal salivary glands.
authors.affiliation: School of Stomatology,Shanghai Second Medical University. Shanghai 200011, China.
authors.forename: Y Q
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Z Y
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Zhang