Molecular plasticity of E-cadherin and sialyl lewis x expression, in two comparative models of mammary tumorigenesis.
BACKGROUND
The process of metastasis involves a series of steps and interactions between the tumor embolus and the microenvironment. Key alterations in adhesion molecules are known to dictate progression from the invasive to malignant phenotype followed by colonization at a distant site. The invasive phenotype results from the loss of expression of the E-cadherin adhesion molecule, whereas the malignant phenotype is associated with an increased expression of the carbohydrate ligand-binding epitopes, (e.g. Sialyl Lewis (x/a)) that bind endothelial E-selectin of the lymphatics and vasculature.


METHODS
Our study analyzed the expression of two adhesion molecules, E-cadherin and Sialyl Lewis x (sLe(x)), in both a canine mammary carcinoma and human inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) model, using double labelled immunofluorescence staining.


RESULTS
Our results demonstrate that canine mammary carcinoma and human IBC exhibit an inversely correlated cellular expression of E-cadherin and sLe(x) within the same tumor embolus.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results in these two comparative models (canine and human) suggest the existence of a biologically coordinated mechanism of E-cadherin and sLe(x) expression (i.e. molecular plasticity) essential for tumor establishment and metastatic progression.
Pinho
Salomé S
SS
Department of Carcinogenesis, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal.
Reis
Celso A
CA
Gärtner
Fátima
F
Alpaugh
Mary L
ML
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000378:metabolism*; D000080506:Sialyl Lewis X Antigen
D015820:Cadherins; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D000080506:Sialyl Lewis X Antigen
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