E-cadherin Immunohistochemistry Stain and Acute Erythroid Leukemia, the Emerging Story

Abstract

E-Cadherin is calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule encoded by CDH1 gene at chromosome 16q22.1. Ecadherin regulates cell-cell adhesions and controls mobility and proliferation of epithelial cells. Recently, the role of E-cadherin in erythroid maturation has been elucidated. It is selectively expressed in immature erythroblasts and gradually down regulated as erythroid precursors mature. Acute erythroid leukemia is neoplastic proliferation of immature erythroid precursors in bone marrow with or without significant myeloblasts component. In the recent years E-cadherin has emerged as the most sensitive and specific marker for immature erythroblasts. Moreover, combination of E-cadherin with glycophorin A in immunohistochemistry staining can effectively separate immature vs. mature erythroid precursors in bone marrow biopsy. In this short review I will shed light on the key points related to the nature of relationship between E-cadherin and acute erythroid leukemia.