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Published on: June 10, 2016
Tricellulin expression in normal and neoplastic human pancreas
Anna Korompay1, Katalin Borka, Gábor Lotz
12nd Department of Pathology, Semmelweis University, Uzsoki Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.
Histopathology
|March 8, 2012
Summary
Tricellulin, a tight junction protein, is expressed in normal and cancerous pancreatic exocrine tissues but not in endocrine cells. Its expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas negatively correlates with tumor differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Tricellulin is a tight junction protein found at tricellular contacts.
- Altered expression of tight junction proteins is implicated in carcinogenesis.
- The role of tricellulin in pancreatic cancer is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze tricellulin expression in normal human pancreas.
- To investigate tricellulin expression in primary exocrine and endocrine pancreatic tumors.
Main Methods:
- Studied 96 cases including normal pancreas, ductal adenocarcinomas, endocrine neoplasms, and acinar cell carcinomas.
- Utilized immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blot, and RT-PCR.
- Quantified expression using digital morphometry.
Main Results:
- Tricellulin localized apically at tricellular contacts in normal ducts and acini; islets were negative.
- Well-differentiated ductal adenocarcinomas overexpressed tricellulin compared to poorly differentiated ones.
- Acinar cell carcinomas expressed tricellulin; all endocrine tumors were negative.
Conclusions:
- This is the first report on tricellulin expression in normal and neoplastic human pancreas.
- Both normal and neoplastic pancreatic exocrine tissues express tricellulin; endocrine cells do not.
- Tricellulin expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas negatively correlates with tumor differentiation.
