title: Immunolocalization of beta-catenin in pleomorphic adenomas and carcinomas ex-pleomorphic adenomas of salivary glands.
abstract: Beta-catenin plays a central role in cadherin/catenin cell-cell adhesion complex and is involved in cell signaling pathway. Change in beta-catenin distribution has been associated with several human cancers including salivary gland tumors. We studied the immunolocalization of beta-catenin in a series of pleomorphic adenomas (PA) and carcinomas ex-pleomorphic adenomas (Ca ex-PA). Ten samples of PA and ten of Ca ex-PA were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique and a monoclonal antibody against beta-catenin (E-5). Cell membrane/cytoplasmic staining of beta-catenin was observed in normal gland parenchyma, PA, and in well-differentiated Ca ex-PA. Cytoplasmic/nuclear beta-catenin staining was observed in poorly differentiated carcinomas and, interestingly, in one case of PA. Our data showed decreased cell membrane beta-catenin expression in higher-grade tumors suggesting that beta-catenin may play an important role in histologic differentiation and transition to malignant phenotype of Ca ex-PA.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. genelhumc@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Marisa C L S
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Genelhu
authors.forename: Helenice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gobbi
authors.forename: Diele C B
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Arantes
authors.forename: Sérgio V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Geovanni D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Cassali
mesh_terms: D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D051176:beta Catenin