β-Catenin expression in benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the expression of β-catenin in benign and malignant salivary gland tumors and to investigate the possible role of β-catenin in the behavior of salivary gland tumors.


METHODS
Paraffin embedded tissues from 45 salivary gland tumors were studied immunohistochemically for expression of β-catenin.


RESULTS
Reduced/aberrant β-catenin expression was seen in benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Cytoplasmic localization and reduced membranous expression were comparatively observed more in malignant salivary gland tumors. Additionally, in pleomorphic adenomas (PAs), β-catenin exhibited intense staining in cells arranged in the form of ducts/tubules, whereas cells in clusters and sheets showed weaker immunoreactivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced and cytoplasmic localization of β-catenin could indicate lack of differentiation, invasive potential, and aggressive behavior in malignant salivary gland tumors. Furthermore, change in expression based on the arrangement of tumor cells may suggest that β-catenin may have a role in morphological variations seen in PAs.
Chandrashekar
Chetana
C
Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Karnataka, India. bhattu16@yahoo.co.in
Angadi
Punnya V
PV
Krishnapillai
Rekha
R
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009208:Myoepithelioma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D051176:beta Catenin