Expression of the E-cadherin/β-catenin/tcf-4 Pathway in Gastric Diseases with Relation to Helicobacter pylori Infection: Clinical and Pathological Implications

摘要

Objective: To determine the expression of E-cadherin, -catenin, and transcription factor 4 (TCF4) proteins in gastric diseases with relation to Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: A total of 309 patients including 60 with superficial gastritis (SG), 57 with atrophic gastritis (AG) and 192 with gastric cancer (GC), were enrolled. The expression of E-cadherin, -catenin, TCF4 proteins in the gastric mucosa was detected by immunohistochemistry and H. pylori infection by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Results: The expression rates of E-cadherin were significantly higher in SG and AG than in GC (P -catenin in the nucleus were significantly lower in SG and AG than in GC (P -catenin and TCF4 were significantly higher in the intestinal type than in the diffuse type (P -catenin protein was significantly higher in the nucleus and cytoplasm in H. pylori positive than in H. pylori negative GC patients, especially in those with the intestinal type (all P -catenin progressively decreases during the process of GC tumorigenesis, while overexpression of TCF4 occurs. H. pylori infection is associated with a significant increase in the expression of E-cadherin and -catenin in the cytoplasm and nucleus in GC patients, especially those with the intestinal type.