Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions of bile duct epithelial cells in primary hepatolithiasis.
The purpose of this study was to explore the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the pathogenesis of hepatolithiasis. Thirty-one patients with primary hepatolithiasis were enrolled in this study. Expressions of E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, alpha-SMA, vimentin, S100A4, TGF-beta1 and P-smad2/3 in hepatolithiasis bile duct epithelial cells were examined by immunohistochemistry staining. The results showed that the expressions of the epithelial markers E-cadherin and alpha-catenin were frequently lost in hepatolithiasis (32.3% and 25.9% of cases, respectively), while the mesenchymal markers vimentin, alpha-SMA and S100A4 were found to be present in hepatolithiasis (35.5%, 29.0%, and 32.3% of cases, respectively). The increased mesenchymal marker expression was correlated with decreased epithelial marker expression. The expressions of TGF-beta1 and P-smad2/3 in hepatolithiasis were correlated with the expression of S100A4. These data indicate that TGF-beta1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition might be involved in the formation of hepatolithiasis.
Zhao
Lijin
L
Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Yang
Rigao
R
Cheng
Long
L
Wang
Maijian
M
Jiang
Yan
Y
Wang
Shuguang
S
D000328:Adult; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged
D015415:Biomarkers