Loss of ezrin in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is associated with ectopic expression of E-cadherin

摘要

AimsEzrin connects proteins from the plasma membrane to the subcortical cytoskeleton, and contributes to epithelial integrity by interacting with the cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin. In the liver, ezrin is restricted to cholangiocytes, where it regulates biliary secretory functions. During carcinogenesis, ezrin expression is impaired and associated with enhancement of cell migratory activity in cancer cells; therefore, we aimed to analyse ezrin in cholangiocarcinogenesis.