title: The expression pattern of beta-catenin in mesothelial proliferative lesions and its diagnostic utilities.
abstract: beta-Catenin is a component of the E-cadherin-catenin cell adhesion complex. It plays an important role in the Wnt/wg pathway, which conveys critical signals for cell proliferation and transformation. The beta-catenin mutation is an important event in the progression of a number of malignancies. In this study, we evaluated the immunohistochemical (IHC) pattern of beta-catenin in a spectrum of mesothelial lesions. Sixty-five formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks from 54 serous effusions and 11 pleural biopsies were examined. These cases consisted of 33 invasive mesotheliomas, 9 early mesotheliomas (with negative radiologic finding), so-called mesotheliomas in situ, and 23 reactive mesothelial proliferations. A distinct membranous and/or submembranous staining pattern was seen in 23 cases with normal and reactive mesothelium. In contrast, reduced membranous and/or submembranous antibody staining and markedly increased ectopic cytoplasmic and nuclear staining was seen in 26 cases of 33 mesotheliomas. Seven of 9 early mesotheliomas showed increased ectopic cytoplasmic and/or nuclear stain. On the basis of our findings, identification of beta-catenin staining pattern offers a useful marker in the diagnosis of mesothelial lesions and may help identify neoplastic change.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA. daiy@med.umich.edu
authors.forename: Yiran
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Carlos W M
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Bedrossian
authors.forename: Claire W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Michael
mesh_terms: D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051176:beta Catenin