PMID: 11314533Apr 21, 2001Paper

The expression of E-cadherin-catenin complex in adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands

The Chinese Journal of Dental Research : the Official Journal of the Scientific Section of the Chinese Stomatological Association (CSA)
Z Y ZhangJ Cao

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the E-cadherin-catenin (E-cad-cat) complex in human salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and determine the effects of E-cad-cat expression on tumor differentiation, metastasis, and invasion, as well as its clinical significance. The expression of adhesion molecules, which included E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, and beta-catenin, on 10 cases of normal salivary glands, and 50 cases of human salivary ACC were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Strong and stable expression of E-cad-cat complex showed in normal salivary glands tissues. However, weaker expression and even complete absence, of the positive signals were shown on all ACC cases. Coexpression of E-cad-cat were detected in 29 (58%) of the 50 ACC specimens. Positive staining of E-cad-cat complex were detected in 7 (39%) of the 18 ACC primary sites that had aggressive phenotype of nerve and vasculature. Strong positive signals of E-cad-cat complex are shown in normal salivary glands, and the down-regulated expression were observed in ACC cases. The expression of E-cad-cat complex is associated with a more aggressive phenotype on nerve and vasculature. No association with various histopathologic subtypes was found. ...Continue Reading

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