title: Low-expression of E-cadherin in leukaemia cells causes loss of homophilic adhesion and promotes cell growth.
abstract: E-cadherin (epithelial cadherin) belongs to the calcium-dependent adhesion molecule superfamily and is implicated in the interactions of haematopoietic progenitors and bone marrow stromal cells. Adhesion capacity to bone marrow stroma was impaired for leukaemia cells, suggesting that a breakdown of adhesive mechanisms governed by an adhesion molecule may exist in leukaemic microenvironment. We previously found that E-cadherin was low expressed in primary acute leukaemia cells compared with normal bone marrow mononuclear cells. In this study, we investigate the functional importance of low E-cadherin expression in leukaemia cell behaviours and investigate its effects in the abnormal interaction of leukaemic cells with stromal cells. After expression of E-cadherin was restored by a demethylating agent in leukaemia cells, E-cadherin-specific adhesion was enhanced. Additionally, siRNA (small interfering RNA)-mediated silencing of E-cadherin in Raji cells resulted in a reduction of cell homophilic adhesion and enhancement of cell proliferation and colony formation. These results suggest that low expression of E-cadherin contributes to the vigorous growth and transforming ability of leukaemic cells.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, Peoples Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Ji-Ying
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jihong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Kejing
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Yanzhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Haiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Jianxiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering