ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Breast carcinomas that co-express E- and P-cadherin are associated with p120-catenin cytoplasmic localisation and poor patient survival

J Paredes^1,2, A L Correia¹, A S Ribeiro², F Milanezi^1,2, J Cameselle-Teijeiro³ and F C Schmitt^1,2,4

¹ Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
² Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
³ Hospital Xeral-Cíes, Vigo, Spain
⁴ Medical Faculty, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

Correspondence to:
Dr J Paredes, Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Rua Roberto Frias S/N, 4200, Porto, Portugal; jparedes{at}ipatimup.pt

Background: Changes in junctional catenin expression may compromise cadherin-mediated adhesion, increasing cell malignant properties such as invasive and metastatic abilities. Altered expression of -, β-, - and p120-catenin has been reported to be associated with E-cadherin loss or decreased expression, in both breast carcinomas and breast cancer cell lines.

Aims and Methods: To investigate the expression and subcellular localisation of p120- and β-catenin in a series of human invasive breast carcinomas, and correlate it with biological markers and clinicopathological parameters.

Results: Both catenins frequently exhibited a reduced membranous or cytoplasmic staining pattern. These alterations were significantly correlated with lack of both E-cadherin and oestrogen receptor- expression. It was possible to associate the expression of β-catenin with histological grade, tumour size and nodal status, suggesting a relevant role for this catenin as a prognostic factor. The majority of E- and P-cadherin co-expressing tumours were related to cytoplasmic expression of p120-catenin; in this group of breast carcinomas, patient survival was poor.

Conclusion: Results indicate that p120-catenin cytoplasmic accumulation may play an important role in mediating the oncogenic effects derived from P-cadherin aberrant expression, including enhanced motility and invasion, particularly in tumours which maintain E-cadherin expression.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?