Redifferentiation and ZO‐1 reexpression in liver‐metastasized colorectal cancer: Possible association with epidermal growth factor receptor‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation of ZO‐1

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2003.tb01414.x
• Publication Date: 2005-08-19T10:36:53Z
• Authors: Tsukasa Kaihara; Hitoshi Kawamata; Johji Imura; Shigehiko Fujii; Kazuaki Kitajima; Fumie Omotehara; Naomi Maeda; Tetsuya Nakamura; Takahiro Fujimori
• Keywords: Grading (engineering); Primary tumor

Tubular gland structures of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been demonstrated to undergo dedifferentiation at the primary site, and then are re‐formed in liver me‐tastases. In this study, we examined degree differentiation structure 48 cases CRCs (24 with synchronous metastasis, 24 without metastasis) by modified Gleason grading system. We also investigated role ZO‐1, one tight junction proteins, morphological changes, i.e., redifferentiation, site metastases. Liver‐metastasized (2.47±0.37) showed a lower score system than corresponding tumors (3.28±0.36) did, tumor cells had undergone redifferentiation ZO‐1 was expressed apical cell borders normal epithelium, luminal side which has tubular structures. comparison expression level frequently reduced CRC metastasis (20.8%) reexpressed metastasized cancers (79.2%). Furthermore, it an immunoprecipitation‐western blotting analysis on 5 that bound epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) irrespective phosphorylation status EGFR, EGFR associated highly ty‐rosine‐phosphorylated only CRC, but dephos‐phorylated liver‐metastasized cancers. Our observations suggest tyrosine leads down‐regulation function glands CRCs, these phenomena contribute metastases, occurs (Cancer Sci 2003; 94: 166–172)