Modulation of E-cadherin by hepatocyte growth factor induces aggressiveness of gastric carcinoma

Objective: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is well known as a scatter factor because it can disperse cells. E-cadherin is a protein that plays a main role in the establishment of cell-cell adhesion. This study focused on the role of HGF on the expression and distribution of E-cadherin. Furthermore, we found induction of aggressiveness of gastric carcinoma by modulation of E-cadherin by HGF. Materials and Methods: Tumor tissues from 50 patients with gastric carcinoma were evaluated for the expression of HGF, its receptor c-Met, and E-cadherin. Western blot analysis and invasion assay were performed to confirm the role of HGF on the modulation of E-cadherin using human gastric cancer cell lines. Results: Seventy-eight percent of the gastric carcinoma tissues showed overexpression of c-Met. E-cadherin expression was found in 86%, which could be further classified as membranous type (52%) or nonmembranous type (48%). The levels of HGF in tumor tissues increased significantly according to the tumor progression. The levels of HGF in tumors with nonmembranous type E-cadherin expression were significantly higher than those in tumors with membranous expression. A striking morphologic change from epithelial shape to fibroblastic shape was observed in SNU-16 cells after 3 days' exposure to HGF, accompanied by down-regulation of functional E-cadherin in the membrane. Treatment of the cells with HGF induced significant invasion into the matrigel. Conclusion: We can conclude that HGF can modulate the expression of E-cadherin in gastric carcinoma, which was accompanied by more aggressive phenotype.