Detection in situ of E-cadherin, β-catenin, TCF4 and CDX2 in various gastric diseases

Prognostic significance of B-Catenin and E-Cadherin expression in gastric carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Dysregulation of molecular pathways, including β-Catenin-mediated Wnt signaling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and E-Cadherin-modulated cell adhesion, plays critical roles in gastric carcinogenesis. This study assesses the expression patterns of β-Catenin and E-Cadherin in GC and explores their prognostic significance.

METHODS

This retrospective, multi-center study analyzed GC cases diagnosed between 2009 and 2019 at the pathology departments of Security Forces and Rabta Hospitals. Tissue microarray (TMA) paraffin blocks from 48 GC cases were immunohistochemically stained using antibodies for β-Catenin (Leica, 17C2) and E-Cadherin (Leica, 36B5). β-Catenin expression was scored as membranous, cytoplasmic, or nuclear, with overexpression defined as ≥ 50% positive cells. E-Cadherin staining was categorized from absent (score 0) to marked membranous staining (score 3), with scores 0-2 considered aberrant. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.

RESULTS

Of the 48 cases, β-Catenin overexpression was observed in 50% of cases, significantly associated with tumor differentiation (p = 0.033), age > 60 years (p = 0.042), and male sex (p = 0.028). Aberrant E-Cadherin expression was found in 65% of cases, linked to poorly cohesive and diffuse subtypes (p = 0.053), poor differentiation (p = 0.042), and recurrence (p = 0.043), with a trend toward reduced survival (p = 0.056).

CONCLUSION

β-Catenin overexpression and aberrant E-Cadherin expression are frequent in GC, reflecting their roles in tumor progression via Wnt signaling and EMT. These findings highlight their potential as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, particularly for Wnt pathway-directed therapies in personalized GC management.

The Role of E-cadherin in Helicobacter pylori-Related Gastric Diseases

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-related gastric diseases are a series of gastric mucosal disorders associated with H. pylori infection. Gastric cancer (GC) is widely believed to evolve from gastritis and gastric ulcer. As an important adhesion molecule of epithelial cells, E-cadherin plays a key role in the development of gastric diseases. In this review, we aim to seek the characteristic of E-cadherin expression at different stages of gastric diseases.

METHODS

We searched plenty of databases for research literature about E-cadherin expression in H. pylori-related gastric diseases, and reviewed the relationship of E-cadherin and H. pylori, and the role of E-cadherin at different stages of gastric diseases.

RESULTS

H. pylori was shown to decrease E-cadherin expression by various ways in vitro, while most of clinical studies have not found the relationship between H. pylori and E-cadherin expression. It is defined that poor outcome of GC is related to loss expression of E-cadherin, but it is still unclear when qualitative change of E-cadherin expression in gastric mucosa emerges.

CONCLUSION

Expression level of E-cadherin in gastric cells may be a consequence of injury factors and body's selfrepairing ability. More studies on E-cadherin expression in gastric mucosa with precancerous lesions need to be performed, which may be potential and useful for early detection, prevention and treatment of GC.

Expression of the E-cadherin/β-catenin/tcf-4 pathway in gastric diseases with relation to Helicobacter pylori infection: clinical and pathological implications

OBJECTIVE

To determine the expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and transcription factor 4 (TCF4) proteins in gastric diseases with relation to Helicobacter pylori infection.

METHODS

A total of 309 patients including 60 with superficial gastritis (SG), 57 with atrophic gastritis (AG) and 192 with gastric cancer (GC), were enrolled. The expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, TCF4 proteins in the gastric mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry and H. pylori infection by immunohistochemistry and PCR.

RESULTS

The expression rates of E-cadherin were significantly higher in SG and AG than in GC (P<0.01), while those of β-catenin in the nucleus were significantly lower in SG and AG than in GC (P<0.05). In GC cases, the expression rates of E-cadherin, β-catenin and TCF4 were significantly higher in the intestinal type than in the diffuse type (P<0.05). In GC patients, the expression rate of E-cadherin was significantly higher in the presence of H. pylori than in the absence of infection (P=0.011). Moreover, the expression level of TCF4 and β-catenin protein was significantly higher in the nucleus and cytoplasm in H. pylori positive than in H. pylori negative GC patients, especially in those with the intestinal type (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin progressively decreases during the process of GC tumorigenesis, while overexpression of TCF4 occurs. H. pylori infection is associated with a significant increase in the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin in the cytoplasm and nucleus in GC patients, especially those with the intestinal type.