Beta-catenin expression in Dupuytren's disease: potential role for cell-matrix interactions in modulating beta-catenin levels in vivo and in vitro.
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| Abstract |
Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a superficial fibromatosis of the hand. Although the molecular mechanisms responsible for this disease are unknown, recent studies suggest that beta-catenin may be a key factor involved in fibromatosis. In this study, we analysed the in vivo and in vitro expression levels of beta-catenin in DD, using surgical specimens and primary cell lines. Although no somatic mutations (exon 3) of beta-catenin were detected, Western blot analysis revealed high levels of beta-catenin in diseased palmar fascia, and low to undetectable levels of beta-catenin in patient-matched normal palmar fascia. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed high levels of beta-catenin expression within the disease fascia, as well as cytoplasmic and nuclear accumulations of the protein. Immunoprecipitation of beta-catenin from seven patient lesions showed the protein to be tyrosine phosphorylated. Lastly, Western analysis of three patient-matched (disease and normal fascia) primary cell cultures showed significantly elevated levels of beta-catenin in disease cells cultured in three-dimensional collagen lattices. This is the first extensive in vivo and in vitro characterization of beta-catenin in DD, and the first to suggest that the extracellular matrix may play an important role in modulating beta-catenin stability in DD.
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| Authors | Vincenzo M Varallo, Bing Siang Gan, Shannon Seney, Douglas C Ross, James H Roth, Robert S Richards, Robert M McFarlane, Benjamin Alman, Jeffrey C Howard |
| Journal | Oncogene (Oncogene) Vol. 22 Issue 24 Pg. 3680-4 (Jun 12 2003) ISSN: 0950-9232 [Print] England |
| PMID | 12802275 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't) |
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