Publication: N-cadherin, beta-catenin and connexin 43
expression in astrocytic tumours of various grades
Authors
Reszec, J. ; Szkudlarek, M. ; Hermanowicz, A. ; Bernaczyk, P.S. ; Mariak, Z. ; Chyczewsk, L.
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Publisher
F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia: Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología
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DOI
https:/doi.org/10.14670/HH-30.361
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Description
Abstract
Introduction: Astrocytic tumors are the most
common primary brain tumors, but little is known about
their etiology and prognostic factors. N-cadherin and
beta-catenin are adhesive proteins, and are often
overexpressed in many types of cancers, including breast
or colorectal cancer, resulting in better prognosis.
Connexin 43 is a gap junction protein involved in cellcell signaling pathway taking part in the process of
carcinogenesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate Ncadherin, beta-catenin and connexin 43 expression in
astrocytic tumors of various grades.
Materials and methods: We examined 131 cases of
astrocytic tumors, including 26 cases of diffuse
astrocytoma (group I), 44 anaplasic astrocytomas (group
II) and 61 glioblastoma cases (group III) - primary and
secondary. To evaluate N-cadherin, beta-catenin and
connexin 43 expression, we used immunohistochemical
reaction with specific antibodies (Santa Cruz
Biotechnology). The obtained results were correlated
with clinical and morphological features.
Results: Beta-catenin expression was observed in
69.3% of diffuse astrocytomas, 75% of anaplastic
astrocytomas, and 82% of glioblastoma cases. Ncadherin expression was observed in 92.3% of diffuse
astrocytomas, 90.1% of anaplastic astrocytomas, and in
all glioblastoma cases. Connexin 43 was observed in
76.9% of diffuse astrocytomas, and in all cases of
anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastomas. Beta-catenin
expression was significant within the nucleus of
neoplastic cells in groups I and II. In group III, staining
was observed only in the cellular membranes. Ncadherin and connexin 43 expression was observed only
in the cells’ membranes. In glioblastomas, both primary
and secondary, all protein expression was significant
within the cells surrounding the necroses and blood
vessels and weak or absent in the tumor’s margins.
Conclusion: Our study shows that beta-catenin
nuclear expression in group of diffuse astrocytomas and
anaplastic astrocytomas is evidence for transcriptional
function of beta-catenin in those groups. Strong Ncadherin and connexin 43 expression in those groups
may be evidence for their role in tumor formation and
progression. However, in glioblastomas a very important
role of all examined proteins is generating intracellular
connections to facilitate the escape of tumor cells from
the effects of hypoxia or their accumulation around the
blood vessels rather than tumor invasion into the brain
parenchyma.
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Citation
Histology and Histopathology, Vol. 30, n.º 3 (2015)
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