title: Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Markers in Human Pituitary Adenomas Indicate a Clinical Course.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pituitary adenomas are brain tumors with invasive properties. Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) is a cellular process linked to the transformation to an aggressive cancer phenotype. In the present study, we investigated the expression of a panel of EMT markers, namely E-cadherin, N-cadherin, SLUG, SNA1 and TWIST in a cohort of human pituitary adenomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh-frozen human pituitary tumors (n=95) were collected immediately after surgery for histology. Gene transcripts of the EMT markers were quantified using quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Levels of expression were analyzed against clinical, pathological, invasion and endocrine functions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of E-cadherin and N-cadherin had a negative and positive correlation with the appearance of intratumoral cystic lesions of pituitary tumors. E-cadherin and TWIST were associated with tumor size and staging. There was a significant link between SLUG/TWIST and the destruction of the sella fosa bones (p<0.030). EMT markers also showed links with the endocrine functions of pituitary tumors. In pituitary tumors, SLUG and SNA1 had significant correlation with N-cadherin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EMT markers are significant indicators of the appearance of cystic lesions, tumor progression, bone destruction and endocrine functions. These markers are valuable biomarkers in assessing the clinical course of pituitary adenomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China Cancer Institute, Capital Medical University-Cardiff University Joint Centre for Biomedical Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China Brain Institute, Capital Medical University-Cardiff University Joint Centre for Biomedical Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China jwttyy@sina.com jiangw@cf.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China Department of Neurosurgery, Zhaoyuan City Hospital, YanTai, Shandong, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jinkui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Capital Medical University-Cardiff University Joint Centre for Biomedical Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China Brain Institute, Capital Medical University-Cardiff University Joint Centre for Biomedical Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China CCMRC Cardiff University-Capital Medical University Joint Centre for Biomedical Research, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, U.K.
authors.forename: Tracey A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, YuHuangDing Hospital, YanTai, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Aihua
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Capital Medical University-Cardiff University Joint Centre for Biomedical Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China Brain Institute, Capital Medical University-Cardiff University Joint Centre for Biomedical Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China CCMRC Cardiff University-Capital Medical University Joint Centre for Biomedical Research, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, U.K.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Capital Medical University-Cardiff University Joint Centre for Biomedical Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China Brain Institute, Capital Medical University-Cardiff University Joint Centre for Biomedical Research, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China CCMRC Cardiff University-Capital Medical University Joint Centre for Biomedical Research, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, U.K. jwttyy@sina.com jiangw@cf.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Wen G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000235:genetics*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051879:Twist-Related Protein 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C050361:CDH2 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C000604407:SNAI1 protein, human; D000071250:Snail Family Transcription Factors; C103173:TWIST1 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051879:Twist-Related Protein 1
keywords: E-cadherin; EMT; N-cadherin; Pituitary adenoma; SLUG; SNA1; TWIST