Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in tumor progression and is induced by the master regulator Snail, a transcription factor that down-regulates epithelial genes, including E-cadherin, and up-regulates mesenchymal genes. Metaplastic breast carcinomas with chondroid differentiation (MBCD) have an epithelial and a mesenchymal chondroid component, giving them morphologic features reminiscent of EMT. To determine whether EMT plays a role in MBCD, we differentially analyzed Snail and E-cadherin expression in 12 tumors by immunohistochemistry. The interface between the tumor components showed a transition from inactive cytoplasmic Snail expression in the carcinoma component to active nuclear Snail expression in the metaplastic cells. Membranous E-cadherin staining was present in the epithelial and absent in the metaplastic component, showing a gradual loss of expression at the interface. E-cadherin expression was inversely correlated with active nuclear Snail expression. Our results suggest that EMT is induced in MBCD and may contribute to their frequent hematogenous metastasis.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 526-531 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Applied Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Morphology |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2010 |
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Keywords
- breast
- carcinoma
- chondroid differentiation
- epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
- matrix
- metaplastic
- snail
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Histology
Cite this
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in metaplastic breast carcinomas with chondroid differentiation : Expression of the E-cadherin repressor snail. / Gwin, Katja; Buell-Gutbrod, Rebecca; Tretiakova, Maria; Montag, Anthony.
In: Applied Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Morphology, Vol. 18, No. 6, 12.2010, p. 526-531.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in metaplastic breast carcinomas with chondroid differentiation
T2 - Expression of the E-cadherin repressor snail
AU - Gwin, Katja
AU - Buell-Gutbrod, Rebecca
AU - Tretiakova, Maria
AU - Montag, Anthony
PY - 2010/12
Y1 - 2010/12
N2 - Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in tumor progression and is induced by the master regulator Snail, a transcription factor that down-regulates epithelial genes, including E-cadherin, and up-regulates mesenchymal genes. Metaplastic breast carcinomas with chondroid differentiation (MBCD) have an epithelial and a mesenchymal chondroid component, giving them morphologic features reminiscent of EMT. To determine whether EMT plays a role in MBCD, we differentially analyzed Snail and E-cadherin expression in 12 tumors by immunohistochemistry. The interface between the tumor components showed a transition from inactive cytoplasmic Snail expression in the carcinoma component to active nuclear Snail expression in the metaplastic cells. Membranous E-cadherin staining was present in the epithelial and absent in the metaplastic component, showing a gradual loss of expression at the interface. E-cadherin expression was inversely correlated with active nuclear Snail expression. Our results suggest that EMT is induced in MBCD and may contribute to their frequent hematogenous metastasis.
AB - Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in tumor progression and is induced by the master regulator Snail, a transcription factor that down-regulates epithelial genes, including E-cadherin, and up-regulates mesenchymal genes. Metaplastic breast carcinomas with chondroid differentiation (MBCD) have an epithelial and a mesenchymal chondroid component, giving them morphologic features reminiscent of EMT. To determine whether EMT plays a role in MBCD, we differentially analyzed Snail and E-cadherin expression in 12 tumors by immunohistochemistry. The interface between the tumor components showed a transition from inactive cytoplasmic Snail expression in the carcinoma component to active nuclear Snail expression in the metaplastic cells. Membranous E-cadherin staining was present in the epithelial and absent in the metaplastic component, showing a gradual loss of expression at the interface. E-cadherin expression was inversely correlated with active nuclear Snail expression. Our results suggest that EMT is induced in MBCD and may contribute to their frequent hematogenous metastasis.
KW - breast
KW - carcinoma
KW - chondroid differentiation
KW - epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
KW - matrix
KW - metaplastic
KW - snail
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U2 - 10.1097/PAI.0b013e3181e8d54b
DO - 10.1097/PAI.0b013e3181e8d54b
M3 - Article
C2 - 20697265
AN - SCOPUS:78650512084
VL - 18
SP - 526
EP - 531
JO - Applied Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Morphology
JF - Applied Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Morphology
SN - 1541-2016
IS - 6
ER -