Abstract
BackgroundTight junctions (TJs) are mainly composed of claudins, occludin, and tight junction adhesion molecules (JAM). The invasive and metastatic phenotype of highly invasive cancer cells has been related to abnormal structure and function of TJs, and with expression of activated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The relevance of these mechanisms responsible for the invasion and metastasis of ovarian carcinoma is unclear. Similarly, it is not known if the expression of claudin-6, occludin and MMP2 is related with the clinical properties of these tumors.MethodsExpression of claudin-6, occludin, and MMP2 was detected in samples of human ovarian cancer tissues by immunohistochemistry and correlated with the clinical properties of the tumors.ResultsThe positive expression rates of claudin-6 and MMP-2 were higher in ovarian papillary serous carcinomas than n ovarian serous adenomas (P < 0.05). There were no differences in the expression of occludin (P > 0.05). The expression of claudin-6 and occludin in ovarian cancer was not correlated with patient age, pathological grade, clinical stage, and metastasis (P > 0.05). MMP-2 expression was enhanced with increased clinical stage and metastasis (P < 0.05), but was unrelated to patient age or tumor grade (P > 0.05). There were no apparent correlations between expression of claudin-6, occludin and MMP-2 in ovarian cancer tissue (P > 0.05).ConclusionsOur data suggest, for the first time, that the claudin-6 and MMP-2 are up-regulated in ovarian papillary serous carcinomas, MMP-2 expression was enhanced with increased clinical stage and metastasis. Claudin-6 and MMP-2 may play a positive role in the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer.Virtual slidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1775628454106511.
Highlights
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common neoplasms in women and epithelial tumors account for approximately 90% of ovarian malignancies [1]
Claudin-6 expression in ovarian cancer tissues and its clinical significance Immunohistochenical staining results revealed that claudin-6 protein was localized in both the cell membrane and cytoplasm
Studies concerning the correlation of claudin-6, occludin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 with ovarian cancer have rarely been reported
Summary
Ovarian cancer is one of the most common neoplasms in women and epithelial tumors account for approximately 90% of ovarian malignancies [1]. MMPs are a zinc ion endopeptidase enzyme family, and the main enzymes responsible for degradation of extracellular matrix and cancer invasion and metastasis [13,14]. Their substrates are type IV collagen and the laminin layer in the basement membrane [15]. The invasive and metastatic phenotype of highly invasive cancer cells has been related to abnormal structure and function of TJs, and with expression of activated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The relevance of these mechanisms responsible for the invasion and metastasis of ovarian carcinoma is unclear. It is not known if the expression of claudin-6, occludin and MMP2 is related with the clinical properties of these tumors
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