Abnormalities of the E-cadherin/catenin adhesion complex in classical papillary thyroid carcinoma and in its diffuse sclerosing variant.

摘要: The cadherin/catenin complex regulates cellular adhesion and motility is believed to function as an invasion suppressor system. Several studies have identified alterations in the expression profiles of those molecules different histotypes thyroid carcinoma. diffuse sclerosing variant (DSV) papillary carcinoma (PTC) a rare, highly invasive PTC which impairment cell–cell may play major role. In attempt progress understanding clinicopathological features DSV, this study examined eight cases 18 classical control group normal by immunohistochemistry (E-, P- N-cadherins β-, γ- α-catenins). E-cadherin gene was also studied polymerase chain reaction/single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR/SSCP) methylation-specific PCR (MSP). contrast PTC, showed heterogeneous loss expression, almost every case DSV pronounced reduction observed its membranous accompanied relocation cytoplasm. Inactivation E-cadherin/catenin appears occur via two pathways: alteration either through mutation (one out cases) or methylation promoter (three five cases); β- and/or γ-catenin cases). Methylation promoter, abnormalities were detected PTC. there neo-expression P-cadherin areas squamous metaplasia no N-cadherin expression. conclusion, appear be more than It remains shown whether not such differences are associated with aggressive behaviour compared Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.