Alteration of CD44 and cadherins expression: Possible association with augmented aggressiveness and invasiveness of endometrial carcinoma

Cadherins and CD44 isoforms are transmembrane glycoproteins with diverse functions in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and may be a determinant of invasive and metastatic behavior in carcinomas. The immunohistochemical expression of cadherins and CD44 in tissue samples from 15 normal endometrium and 33 endometrial adenocarcinomas were examined. The immunohistochemical analysis was performed using the monoclonal antibody HECD-1 against E-cadherin and the polyclonal antibody against N-cadherin. In addition, the monoclonal antibodies 2C5, which binds to CD44s and all of the variants encoded by exons 3-10; 3G5, which is specific for CD44v3; and 2F10, which is specific for CD44v6 were used. E-cadherin (P=0.0001) and N-cadherin (P<0.001) expressions were statistically lower in endometrial adenocarcinoma than in normal endometrium. In contrast, an overexpression of CD44 isoforms (P<0.01) and CD44v3 (P<0.01) expressions was found in endometrial adenocarcinomas compared with normal endometrium. No difference was noted for CD44v6. An association was found between a decrease in E-cadherin expression and the occurrence of local recurrent and nodal metastasis. An association was found between CD44 overexpression, lymph space involvement, and myometrial invasion. Our results suggest that cadherin and CD44 expressions in endometrial carcinomas may have a prognostic value. Alteration of CD44 seems to be related to local invasion, while alteration of E-cadherin seems to be associated with dissemination of the disease.