Immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in the normal and malignant human endometrium: an inverse correlation between E-cadherin and nuclear beta-catenin expression.
BACKGROUND
The E-cadherin/beta-catenin complex plays a crucial role in epithelial cell-cell adhesion and in the maintenance of tissue architecture. We previously reported aberrant expression of beta-catenin in endometrial carcinomas. However, the expression and correlation of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in normal and malignant endometrial tissues are not fully understood.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin was detected in 30 cases of normal endometrium and 73 cases of endometrial carcinoma.


RESULTS
In the normal endometrium, the expression of E-cadherin and cytoplasmic beta-catenin in glandular cells was predominantly observed in the proliferative phase, and decreased in the secretory phase. In endometrial carcinomas, the expression of E-cadherin and cytoplasmic beta-catenin decreased compared to that in the normal proliferative endometrial glands. The expression of E-cadherin and cytoplasmic beta-catenin tended to be reduced in histologically high-grade tumors compared to low-grade tumors. Nuclear expression of beta-catenin was observed in the glandular cells in the late proliferative and early secretory phases, as well as in high-grade endometrial carcinomas. Interestingly, nuclear beta-catenin expression was associated with the loss of E-cadherin expression in normal and carcinoma cells, indicating an inverse correlation.


CONCLUSIONS
The cyclic expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in the normal endometrium suggests that the adhesion complex may act to maintain the endometrial architectures. In addition, nuclear beta-catenin expression associated with loss of E-cadherin expression may be involved in the acquisition of aggressive biological behavior, especially in high-grade tumors.
Shih
Hsien-Chang
HC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan.
Shiozawa
Tanri
T
Miyamoto
Tsutomu
T
Kashima
Hiroyasu
H
Feng
Yu-Zhen
YZ
Kurai
Miyuki
M
Konishi
Ikuo
I
D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018269:Carcinoma, Endometrioid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051176:beta Catenin
C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin