[E-cadherin expression and cancer invasion and metastasis]

E-cadherin (ECD) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates the calcium dependent adhesion of cells and plays a major role in cell-cell adhesion of normal epithelium. In present study, we have established the positive ECD expressed clone (ECD(+)) and the negative ECD expressed clone (ECD(-)). Anti human ECD monoclonal antibody (HECD-1) disturbed the mutual adhesion of ECD(+) effectively but didn't disturb that of ECD(-). ECD(+) did not invade the collagen/fibroblast gel, but ECD(-) did. Furthermore, ECD(+) acquired invasiveness in the collagen gel when HECD-1 was used. Clinicopathologically, we have investigated the correlation between expression of ECD and metastasis in human esophageal and gastric cancers by immunohistochemical staining using HECD-1. ECD expression of these lymph node metastatic tumor in the primary sites was more reduced than that of non metastatic tumor significantly. These results indicated that reduction or dysfunction of ECD diminishes intercellular adhesion and acquires invasive and metastatic capacity in human cancer cells.