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Updated: Sep 24, 2025

In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors
Published on: May 17, 2013
Protocadherin B9 Is Associated with Tumorigenesis and Cancer Progression in Colorectal Cancer
Ryuichi Asai1,2, Daiki Taniyama1, Naohide Oue1
1Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
Background:
Genes encoding transmembrane proteins expressed specifically in cancer cells may be ideal therapeutic targets or biomarkers for diagnosis.
Methods:
In the present study, we investigated the expression and function of PCDHB9, which encodes transmembrane protein protocadherin B9 in colorectal cancer (CRC).
Results:
Immunohistochemical analysis showed that 39 (26%) of 148 CRC cases were positive for protocadherin B9. Expression of protocadherin B9 correlated with lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, and T classification and was weakly detected in adenomas by immunohistochemistry. Although PCDHB9 knockdown did not change cell growth and invasion activity in CRC cell lines, cell adhesion to fibronectin was significantly reduced by PCDHB9 knockdown. Expressions of ITGA3, ITGA4, ITGA5, ITGB1, and ITGB6 were significantly reduced by PCDHB9 knockdown. In addition, the number of spheres was significantly decreased by PCDHB9 knockdown.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that protocadherin B9 might be associated with colorectal tumorigenesis and cancer progression in CRC.
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