Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
08:54
An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells
Published on: July 20, 2014
14.4K
E-cadherin and Snail Immunoexpression in Colorectal Adenocarcinomas
A M Al Khatib1, A E Stepan2, C Margaritescu2
1PhD student, Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania.
Current Health Sciences Journal
|October 19, 2019
Summary
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) involves E-cadherin and Snail. Snail expression increases with tumor stage, while E-cadherin decreases, impacting invasiveness and patient stratification.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial for invasiveness in development and cancer progression.
- E-cadherin is vital for tissue structure, while Snail transcription factor represses E-cadherin.
- Understanding their roles in colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) is key for targeted therapies.
Observation:
- This study analyzed E-cadherin and Snail immunoexpression in 47 colorectal adenocarcinoma cases.
- Both proteins showed positive cytoplasmic signals across all analyzed tumors.
- Tumor grade, stage, and invasion patterns were compared with protein expression levels.
Findings:
- E-cadherin expression was highest in lower-grade (G1) CRCs and decreased with advanced tumor stage.
- Snail expression was highest in higher-grade (G3) CRCs and increased with tumor stage.
- Both E-cadherin and Snail expression showed statistically significant associations with vascular and perineural invasion, and a negative linear correlation was observed between them.
Implications:
- The inverse relationship between E-cadherin and Snail expression highlights their involvement in CRC EMT.
- These findings can aid in evaluating and stratifying CRC patients.
- This understanding supports the development of targeted therapies for colorectal cancer.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Cadherins in Tissue Organization
3.8K
The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
3.8K
01:25Structure of Cadherins
4.6K
The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins” is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This...
4.6K
01:24Adherens Junctions
6.0K
Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types – adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
6.0K
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.6K
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
2.6K
01:31Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
4.1K
Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
4.1K
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.4K
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.4K