title: Expression of connexin 43 and E-cadherin in choroidal melanoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression of connexin 43 and epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) in choroidal melanoma, to explore the clinical and pathological implications of expression of these proteins, and to determine their relations with malignant features.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of connexin 43 and E-cadherin in choroidal melanoma were detected by immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological features.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive rates of connexin 43 in choroidal melanomas and benign pigmented nevus tissues were 75% and 40% respectively with significant differences between the two groups (χ(2)=5.607, P=0.009). Positive rates of E-cadherin in choroidal melanomas and benign pigmented nevus tissues were 40% and 75% respectively with significant differences between the two groups (χ(2)=5.214, P=0.010). Significant overexpression of connexin 43 and reduction of E-cadherin expression was associated with the invasion to the sclera, and there were respectively significant differences between without and with scleral invasion groups (χ(2)=2.880, P=0.040; χ(2)=2.778, P=0.046). Overexpression of connexin 43 were correlated with tumor cell types and the expression of connexin 43 and E-cadherin may be correlated with each other.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased expression of connexin 43 and the decreased expression of E-cadherin may be involved in the process of invasion of choroidal melanoma. The overepression of connexin 43 and reduction of E-cadherin may contribute to the development of choroidal melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Ying-Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Mou
authors.forename: Gui-Qiu
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jin-Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Li-Ting
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei-Rong
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Sun