Background/Aims : Disruption of the cell-to-cell junction with changes in the expression of the junctional proteins is the hallmark of cancer invasion and metastasis. To investigate the roles of claudin-1, β-catenin and E-cadherin in adenocarcinoma of the colon, the relationship of their expression with clinical and pathological factors were examined. Methods : The expression of claudin-1, β-catenin and E-cadherin were examined in 47 cases of adenocarcinoma of the colon by immunohistochemical staining. Results : A reduced claudin-1 expression was associated with advanced lymph node metastasis (p=0.019) and histological dedifferentiation at the invasive front (p=0.030). A reduced expression of β-catenin and E-cadherin were correlated with histological dedifferentiation (p=0.012, p=0.010, respectively). The reduced expression of two or more proteins was correlated with the histological findings of dedifferentiation (p=0.030). Conclusions : These results suggest that loss of claudin-1, β-catenin and E-cadherin expression may be correlated with the progression of adenocarcinoma of the colon and associated with an advanced histological grade. (Korean J Med 74:146-153, 2008)

Background/Aims : Disruption of the cell-to-cell junction with changes in the expression of the junctional proteins is the hallmark of cancer invasion and metastasis. To investigate the roles of claudin-1, β-catenin and E-cadherin in adenocarcinoma of the colon, the relationship of their expression with clinical and pathological factors were examined. Methods : The expression of claudin-1, β-catenin and E-cadherin were examined in 47 cases of adenocarcinoma of the colon by immunohistochemical staining. Results : A reduced claudin-1 expression was associated with advanced lymph node metastasis (p=0.019) and histological dedifferentiation at the invasive front (p=0.030). A reduced expression of β-catenin and E-cadherin were correlated with histological dedifferentiation (p=0.012, p=0.010, respectively). The reduced expression of two or more proteins was correlated with the histological findings of dedifferentiation (p=0.030). Conclusions : These results suggest that loss of claudin-1, β-catenin and E-cadherin expression may be correlated with the progression of adenocarcinoma of the colon and associated with an advanced histological grade. (Korean J Med 74:146-153, 2008)

목적 : 부착 단백의 발현의 변화에 의한 세포-세포 부착의 파열은 종양 세포의 침윤과 전이에서 중요한 역할을 한다. 이에 이번 연구는 결장 샘암종에서 세포 부착 관련 물질인 claudin-1과 E-cadherin 및 β-catenin이 어떤 역할을 하는지 알아보고자 하였다. 방법 : 47예의 결장 샘암종에서 claudin-1과 E-cadherin 및 β-catenin에 대한 면역조직화학적 염색을 시행하여 이들의 발현 양상을 관찰하고, 임상병리학적 인자들과의 상관관계를 분석하였다. 결과 : Claudin-1의 발현은 결장 샘암종의 림프절 전이가 많을수록 유의하게 감소하였고(p=0.019), 침윤 부위 종양세포의 조직학적 분화도가 중분화를 보일 때 보다 저등급분화를 보일 때 유의하게 감소하였다(p=0.030). E-cadherin 과 β- catenin의 발현도 저등급분화 샘암종이 중분화 샘암종에 비해 유의한 감소를 보였다(각각 p=0.010, p=0.012). 또한 claudin-1, E-cadherin 및 β-catenin 중에서 2개 이상 단백질 발현의 감소는 샘암종의 조직학적 탈분화와 의미 있는 상관관계를 보였다(p=0.030). 결론 : 본 연구의 결과는 결장 샘암종에서 claudin-1, E-cadherin과 β-catenin의 발현 감소가 샘암종의 진행과 종양의 탈분화와 관련이 있음을 시사한다.

Colon; Adenocarcinoma; Claudin 1; beta Catenin; E-cadherins