Original Article
Expression of Wnt2b in cholangiocarcinoma and its relationship with epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Chen Zongkai, Yang Meng, Pan Yanyong, Zou Hao, Feng Yujie, Shen Fangzhen, Wu Zehua, Zhang Bingyuan
Published 2019-10-28
Cite as Chin J Hepatobiliary Surg, 2019,25(10): 751-754. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-8118.2019.10.008
Abstract
ObjectiveTo study the expression of Wnt2b protein and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition related markers in tissues of carcinoma of bile duct and normal bile duct to determine the clinical significance. The relationships between the expression levels and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed, and the correlation between Wnt2b and epithelial interstitial transformation (EMT), tumor invasion and metastasis were studied.
MethodsA total of 60 patients with cholangiocarcinoma and 30 patients with normal bile duct tissues admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from December 2008 to December 2013 were studied. The expressions of Wnt2b, E-cadherin and Vimentin protein were detected by SP immunohistochemical staining. The patients were classified according to the expressions of these proteins. Analyses were conducted on the relationships of these proteins with clinical characteristics of the patients with cholangiocarcinoma.
ResultsThe positive expression rate of Wnt2b protein in carcinoma of bile duct tissues was 90.0%, which was significantly higher than that in normal bile duct tissues (χ2=38.1, P<0.05). The positive expression rate of Wnt2b in T3 + T4 was significantly higher than that in T1 + T2 (P<0.05). There were no correlations of the expression with patients’ age, gender, tumor location and degree of tumor differentiation (P>0.05). Patients with lymph node metastasis had a significantly higher positive expression of Vimentin than patients with no lymph node metastasis, and the loss of E-cadherin expression was increased (all P<0.05). There were no relationship of the expressions of these proteins with patients’ age, gender, tumor location and degree of tumor differentiation (P>0.05). The increased expression of Wnt2b in bile duct cancer cells was related to increase in EMT marker of the positive expression of vimentin and the loss of E-cadherin expression (both P<0.05).
ConclusionsWnt2b protein overexpression in cholangiocarcinoma correlated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition related markers. The Wnt2b protein was correlated with cholangiocarcinoma occurrence, development, invasion and metastasis. Wnt2b has the potential to develop into a new therapeutic target for carcinoma of bile duct.
Key words:
Bile duct neoplasms; Wnt signaling pathway; Epithelial interstitial transformation; Vimentin; E-cadherin
Contributor Information
Chen Zongkai
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, People’s Hospital of Jimo District, QingDao 266200, China
Yang Meng
Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, QingDao 266200, China
Pan Yanyong
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, People’s Hospital of Jimo District, QingDao 266200, China
Zou Hao
Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, QingDao 266200, China
Feng Yujie
Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, QingDao 266200, China
Shen Fangzhen
Department of Oncology Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, QingDao 266200, China
Wu Zehua
Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, QingDao 266200, China
Zhang Bingyuan
Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, QingDao 266200, China
