RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Expression of E-Cadherin, β-Catenin and APC protein in Canine Colorectal Tumours
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 2919
OP 2925
VO 29
IS 8
A1 RESTUCCI, BRUNELLA
A1 MARTANO, MANUELA
A1 DE VICO, GIONATA
A1 LO MUZIO, LORENZO
A1 MAIOLINO, PAOLA
YR 2009
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/29/8/2919.abstract
AB The present study aimed at evaluating, through immunohistochemical staining, E-cadherin, β-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) expression and distribution in normal, dysplastic and neoplastic canine colon and rectum, and at correlating the protein expression with the histological grade of malignancy. In order to obtain a more thorough evaluation of the APC/β catenin complex, both proteins were also assessed for colocalization in neoplastic cells through double immunofluorescence staining. Immunohistochemical investigation showed a marked decrease of E-cadherin and APC expression in malignant tumours, while a lack of membranous β-catenin distribution and a cytoplasmic positivity, rather than a decrease of expression, was observed in less differentiated carcinomas. Confocal laser microscopical observation showed cytoplasmic β-catenin distribution solely in APC-negative cells, demonstrating that the correct β-catenin distribution on the cell membrane can be APC dependent, as in human colorectal carcinomas. Therefore, the changes in adhesion molecules can play a very important role both in colorectal carcinogenesis and in malignant progression; moreover, these proteins can also be considered powerful prognostic tools in veterinary oncology.