E-cadherin expression in lymph nodes of three patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Authors: Takubo, T.; Kanashima, H.; Terada, Y.; Shibata, H.; Aoyama, Y.; Nakamae, H.; Yamamura, R.; Shima, E.; Makita, K.; Tanaka, K.; Ohta, K.; Yamane, T.; Hino, M.; Kamitani, T.; Tatsumi, N.; Ohshima, K.

Source: Haematologia, Volume 32, Number 1, 2002 , pp. 67-72(6)

Publisher: VSP, an imprint of Brill

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Abstract:

The E-cadherins are a family of cell-cell adhesion molecules. These molecules exhibit Ca²⁺ dependent cell adhesion and are expressed on epithelial cells. E-cadherin levels in serum are known to be significantly elevated in patients with epithelial carcinomas. We determined serum Ecadherin levels in 30 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) using an enzyme immunoassay and then investigated whether E-cadherin is expressed on lymphoma cells in lymph nodes of three cases selected to analyze from 15 cases of serum E-cadherin levels over mean + 2SD with monoclonal antibody immunohistochemistry. Results indicated that E-cadherin antigen is expressed on the lymphoma cells in these three patients with NHL, and that soluble E-cadherin might be released into blood from lymphoma cells. Expression of E-cadherin may contribute to the morphological appearance of some malignant lymphoma, although no conclusion can be drawn based on such small number of patients analyzed.

Keywords: e-cadherin; adhesion molecule; non-hodgkin's lymphoma; enzyme immunoassay; immunohistochemistry

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156855902760262781

Publication date: 2002-03-01