title: Beta-catenin expression is altered in dysplastic and nondysplastic aberrant crypt foci of human colon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) of the colon are possible precursors of adenoma and cancer. beta-catenin alterations are early events in human colorectal carcinogenesis. beta-catenin expression is altered in colorectal cancer, adenoma, and ACF with dysplasia. Here, we describe the expression of beta-catenin in ACF, especially nondysplastic ACF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rectal chromoscopy with 4% indigo carmine was performed on 418 subjects and 146 biopsy specimens, including 10 dysplastic ACF, 106 nondysplastic ACF, and 30 normal colonic mucosal controls taken under endoscopy. The expression and subcellular distribution of beta-catenin were assessed by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  beta-catenin expression was altered in 1 of 30 (3.3%) normal mucosa, 30 of 106 (28.3%) nondysplastic ACF, and 10 of 10 (100%) dysplastic ACF (P<0.001). Notably, most cells with altered beta-catenin expression in nondysplastic ACF were limited to the bottom of the crypt, where stem cells are located.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both dysplastic and nondysplastic ACF have altered beta-catenin expression and play a role in colon tumorigenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Biantao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mi
authors.forename: Xinying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Xuantong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hongquan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin