Objective To determine the expression of Twist and E-cadherin in normal oesophageal squamous epithelial mucosa and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as well as their correlations in terms of clinical pathological factors, thereby exploring the approaches orienting prediction of prognosis of oesophageal SCC on molecular basis and offering theoretical grounds for relevant gene therapies. Methods A total of 58 paraffin-embedded oesophageal SCC specimens and 10 normal oesophageal squamous epithelial tissue samples were obtained for examination of the expression of Twist and E-cadherin via immunohistochemistry assay (SP′s approach). Correlations between both expression levels and age, clinical staging, tumor differential conditions as well as lymph node involvement were analyzed in patients with oesophageal SCC in addition to the association between both expression levels. Phosphate buffer solution, but not the first antibody, served as the negative control. Results Oesophageal SCC yielded a markedly higher positive rate (P<0.01) of Twist in (53%, 31/58) as compared with that of normal oesophageal squamous epithelial tissues (10%). The positive expression rate of Twist was 73% (11/15), 53% (10/19) and 42% (10/24) in stage Ⅰ , Ⅱ and Ⅲ/ Ⅵ oesophageal SCC, respectively (P=0.011). Stage Ⅲ and Ⅵ oesophageal SCC exhibited considerably lower positive expression rates of Twist than stage I and II oesophageal SCC. There was significant difference in the positive expression rate of Twist in those with (69%, 18/26) and without (41%, 13/32) lymph node metastasis (P=0.015). In addition, oesophageal SCC produced a significantly lower (P<0.01) E-cadherin expression rate (28%) than normal oesophageal squamous epithelial tissues (90%). Cytoplasmic and (or) nuclear E-cadherin expression, referred to as reduced membranous expression, was found in 72% (42/58) of the oesophageal SCC tissues. There was significant difference (P=0.005) in reduced membranous E-cadherin expression among those with stage Ⅰ(55%, 11/20), Ⅱ (72%, 13/ 18) and Ⅲ (90%, 18/20) oesophageal SCC, respectively. A remarkably lower expression rate of E-cadherin was revealed in stage Ⅲ than stage I and II oesophageal SCC. Furthermore, higher reduced E-cadherin expression rate (P=0.019) was found in patients with (77%, 20/26) lymph node metastasis than those without (69%, 22/32). Conclusion The expression of Twist may be associated with clinical staging and lymph node metastasis in patients with oesophageal SCC. There might be a correlation between reduced membranous E-cadherin expression and low differentiation as well as lymph node metastasis. Additionally, expression of Twist is negatively correlated with nuclear E -cadherin expression.%目的 探讨上皮间质转化因子(Twist)和E-钙黏蛋白(E-cd)在食管鳞状细胞癌组织及正常食管鳞状上皮黏膜中的表达及其与食管鳞状细胞癌各临床病理因素的相关性.方法 采用免疫组织化学方法(SP法)检测10例正常食管鳞状上皮及58例食管鳞状细胞癌石蜡切片中Twist和E-cd的表达情况;分析正常食管鳞状上皮组织及食管鳞状细胞癌组织中二者的表达与食管鳞状细胞癌患者年龄、临床分期、肿瘤分化程度和淋巴结转移的关系及二者表达的关系.以磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)代替一抗作为阴性对照.结果 食管正常鳞状上皮组织中Twist的阳性表达率为10%,食管鳞状细胞癌组织中Twist的表达则明显增强(53%,31/58),二者差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ~Ⅳ期中,食管鳞状细胞癌Twist的阳性表达率为73%(11/15)、53%(10/19)和42%(10/24),差异有统计学意义(P＝0.011).Ⅲ、Ⅳ期食管鳞状细胞癌中Twist的阳性表达率显著低于Ⅰ期、Ⅱ期食管鳞状细胞癌.有淋巴结转移和无淋巴结转移的食管鳞状细胞癌Twist的阳性表达率分别为69%(18/26)和41%(13/32),差异有统计学意义(P＝0.015).E-cd在正常食管鳞状上皮组织中的正常表达率为90%,食管鳞状细胞癌组织的正常表达率仅为28%(16/58),二者差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).72%(42/58)的食管鳞状细胞癌组织中检测出的E-cd细胞质和(或)核表达,视为细胞膜表达降低.Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级中食管鳞状细胞癌,E-cd的膜表达降低率分别为55%(11/20)、72%(13/18)和90%(18/20),差异有统计学意义(P＝0.005).Ⅲ级食管鳞状细胞癌中E-cd的膜表达降低率显著高于Ⅰ、Ⅱ级.有淋巴结转移和无淋巴结转移的食管鳞状细胞癌中E-cd的膜表达降低率分别为77%(20/26)和69%(22/32),差异有统计学意义(P＝0.019).结论 Twist的表达与食管鳞状细胞癌的临床分期和淋巴结转移相关,E-cd的膜表达降低与食管鳞状细胞癌的低分化和淋巴结转移相关.食管鳞状细胞癌中Twist和E-cd的表达呈负相关.
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