Expression of E-cadherin cell adhesion molecule in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

We examined the expression of E type cadherin, which was a Ca₂₊-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues using immunohistological ABC method. Mouse monoclonal antibody against human E-cadherin was used as the first antibody. In all the tissues of HCCs and non-cancerous portions examined, both hepatoma cells and hepatocytes were positive for E-cadherin. Positive staining was located at cell membrane, especially at the intercellular contact sites. However, the difference of staining intensity was noted in each hepatoma cell. PLC/PRF/5 cell lines were also positive for E-cadherin staining. Although, all of normal gastric mucosa tissues showed positive staining for E-cadherin, the positive staining was 68% in gastric cancer tissues. It was less frequent than that in hepatoma cells (p<0.05). These results suggest that the expression of E-cadherin might play an important role for the characteristic growth of hepatoma cells.