Frequent loss of E-cadherin and/or catenins in intrabronchial lesions during carcinogenesis of the bronchial epithelium

Inactivation of the cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion system is believed to play a rote in the initial steps of cancer invasion and metastasis. Expression of E-cadherin and its intracytoplasmic binding molecules (a-catenin, beta-catenin, and plakoglobin) was examined immunohistochemically in 84 cases of intrabronchial precancerous Lesions (bronchial squamous metaplasia (BSM) without atypia, BSM with atypia, dysplasia), and 21 cases of carcinoma in situ, and 4 cases of microinvasion to the bronchial watt, and 32 cases of stage I well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma) to investigate the association between expression of E-cadherin and/or catenins and cancer progression. Reduced expression of E-cadherin and/or catenins was closely correlated with an atypical grade of dysplasia in the basal layer (p < 0.05). In particular, downregulation of E-cadherin and/or catenins was associated with an atypical grade of BSM with atypia in intrabronchiat lesions (p < 0.01). We conclude that downregulation of et-catenin and/or beta-catenin, which may reflect dysfunction of the cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion system, is an important marker for atypical grade during carcinogenesis of the bronchial epithelium. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.