Simultaneous immunohistochemical localization of beta-catenin and cyclin D1 in differentiated but not in undifferentiated human endometrial carcinoma

Eur J Gynaecol Oncol. 2003;24(2):129-34.

Abstract

Purpose: Beta-catenin plays dual important roles in epithelial cell-cell adhesion in cytoplasm as well as in the nuclear T-cell factor (TCF)/lymphoid enhancing factor-1 (LEF-1) signaling pathway. Abnormal nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin promotes colorectal carcinogenesis by triggering the expression of cyclin D1 gene through the TCF/LEF-1 pathway. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible involvement of the TCF/LEF-1 pathway in endometrial carcinogenesis.

Methods: Immunohistochemical localization of beta-catenin and cyclin D1 in normal endometrium, hyperplastic endometrium and endometrial carcinoma were assessed on serial tissue sections.

Results: Nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin was observed in endometrial carcinomas compared with normal endometria. Cyclin D1-positive endometrial cancer cases were beta-catenin-positive in the nuclei, especially in 70% (7/10) of G1 and 55.6% (5/9) of G2 differentiated endometrial carcinomas, but never in G3 undifferentiated ones.

Conclusions: These results imply that the simultaneous nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin and cyclin D1--suggesting the activation of the TCF/LEF-1 pathway--may be a potential marker for the progression of Type 1 endometrial carcinogenesis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cyclin D1 / metabolism*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Endometrium / metabolism*
  • Endometrium / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism*
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • beta Catenin
  • Cyclin D1