Abstract
Aim Antigenic expression in epithelial cells can be heterogeneous which may pose a problem in immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of tumor markers, in particular, predictive markers like HER2. Studies have shown that epithelial cells have distinct apical and basolateral domains which are separated by tight junctions. The cell membrane in these two domains has a different composition of macromolecules and hence can have variable antigen expression on immunohistochemistry. In our study, we aimed to investigate this phenomenon of basolateral versus circumferential IHC staining of HER2 in gastric/GE adenocarcinoma. Methods We selected 45 cases of gastric/GE adenocarcinoma and evaluated equal number of specimens (15 each) showing well-differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated morphology. All cases had 3+ HER2 score as per CAP guidelines. HER2-membrane staining pattern in all specimens was analyzed. Results Cases with well-differentiated morphology showed only basolateral or lateral membrane staining in most cases. Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma samples showed circumferential staining (both basolateral and luminal) in all cases with highly significant p value. Mixed staining pattern was observed in moderately differentiated cases. Diffuse expression of E-cadherin in well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and loss in poorly differentiated tumors were also statistically significant. Conclusion These findings suggest that HER2 in gastric epithelium has a polarized distribution which is maintained by the fence function of tight junctions. With progression to high grade cancer, the glandular structural differentiation in gastric mucosa is lost, along with disruption of tight junctions. This leads to loss of cell polarity and migration of antigens across the membrane.
Highlights
In epithelial tissue, cells characteristically have cell to cell adhesion and an apicobasal membrane polarity; i.e., the apical and basal membranes have a distinct set of macromolecules
Tight junctions perform various functions; two important ones are (i) barrier function, i.e., allowing selective molecules to diffuse through intercellular space, and (ii) fence function, i.e., dividing the cell membrane into apical and basolateral surfaces, providing and maintaining a polarized distribution of certain membrane components across the cell [3, 4]
We observed that well-differentiated gastric and GE adenocarcinoma with prominent glandular differentiation (Figure 1) largely expressed only basolateral HER2 IHC staining with no luminal staining (Figure 2)
Summary
Cells characteristically have cell to cell adhesion and an apicobasal membrane polarity; i.e., the apical and basal membranes have a distinct set of macromolecules. It has been postulated that tight junctions are important for maintaining cell polarity [1]. Tight junctions perform various functions; two important ones are (i) barrier function, i.e., allowing selective molecules to diffuse through intercellular space, and (ii) fence function, i.e., dividing the cell membrane into apical and basolateral surfaces, providing and maintaining a polarized distribution of certain membrane components across the cell [3, 4]. Loss of tight junctions can result in disruption of the apicobasal polarity in epithelial cells and lead to a change in antigen expression by the cell membrane [6]. Any changes in the polarity of cell membrane can cause changes in the staining pattern
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