Inverse correlation between E-cadherin and Snail expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines in vitro and in
W Jiao1, K Miyazaki, Y Kitajima
1Department of Surgery, Saga Medical School, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan.
Abstract:
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a well-known malignancy in the world. However, the molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis and tumour progression remains unclear. Recently, reduced E-cadherin expression due to transcriptional suppressor Snail was proven in a panel of epithelial and dedifferentiated cells derived from carcinomas of various etiologies. In the present study, we examined Snail and E-cadherin mRNA/protein expression in five hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines with variable phenotypes (HuL-1, Hep-G(2), Changliver, HLE, and HLF). The results demonstrated that the presence of Snail mRNA in HuL-1, Changliver, HLE and HLF cells detected by RT-PCR, which was further proven by in situ hybridization in tumours induced by HuL-1, Changliver, and HLF cells where Snail mRNA signals expressed in each of the sections. By contrast, E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression were only detected in Hep-G(2) cells by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. These results were also consistent with the data obtained from in vivo immunohistochemical staining where membranous expression of endogenous E-cadherin protein was revealed only in tumour sections induced by Hep-G(2) cells. Here we are the first to report that there is an inverse correlation between Snail and E-cadherin expression in HCC cells as well.
Insights
This study reveals an inverse correlation between Snail and E-cadherin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Reduced E-cadherin expression, linked to Snail, is a key factor in HCC progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent global malignancy with incompletely understood carcinogenesis mechanisms.
- Reduced E-cadherin expression, often mediated by the transcriptional repressor Snail, is implicated in various carcinomas.
- The specific roles of Snail and E-cadherin in HCC progression require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of Snail and E-cadherin mRNA and protein in diverse hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.
- To determine the correlation between Snail expression and E-cadherin expression in HCC.
- To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC development and progression.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Snail and E-cadherin mRNA expression using Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).
- Detection of Snail mRNA in induced tumors via in situ hybridization.
- Assessment of E-cadherin protein levels through Western blot and immunohistochemical staining.
- Evaluation of five distinct hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HuL-1, Hep-G(2), Changliver, HLE, and HLF).
Main Results:
- Snail mRNA was detected in HuL-1, Changliver, HLE, and HLF cell lines, and confirmed in corresponding induced tumors.
- E-cadherin mRNA and protein were exclusively detected in the Hep-G(2) cell line.
- Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed membranous E-cadherin expression only in tumors derived from Hep-G(2) cells.
- An inverse correlation between Snail and E-cadherin expression was observed in HCC cells.
Conclusions:
- Snail acts as a transcriptional suppressor of E-cadherin in hepatocellular carcinoma.
- The inverse relationship between Snail and E-cadherin is a significant finding in HCC molecular pathology.
- These findings contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms driving hepatocellular carcinoma progression.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Cadherins in Tissue Organization
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal