Abstract | AIMS: METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined claudin-4 expression by immunohistochemistry (clone 3E2C1) on tissue microarrays that contained 44 UECs/DDECs (24 SWI/SNF-deficient), 50 carcinosarcomas, 164 grade 3 endometrioid carcinomas, 57 serous carcinomas, and 20 clear cell carcinomas. Tumours with <5% claudin-4 expression were considered to be negative. Nearly all SWI/SNF-deficient, and most SWI/SNF-proficient, UECs/DDECs showed a complete absence of claudin-4 expression in the undifferentiated component, whereas the differentiated component in DDECs showed consistent and diffuse claudin-4 expression. Only one SWI/SNF-deficient DDEC showed focal expression of claudin-4 in the undifferentiated component, as compared with diffuse expression in the corresponding differentiated component. Claudin-4 expression was consistently absent in the sarcomatous component of carcinosarcoma, and it was absent in 24% of grade 3 endometrioid carcinomas and serous carcinomas. CONCLUSION:
Claudin-4 expression can be absent or very focal in a subset of high-grade endometrial carcinomas, and is almost always absent in the undifferentiated components of SWI/SNF-deficient UECs/DDECs, despite the apparent epithelial origin in the case of DDECs. Therefore, claudin-4 expression cannot be used to infer mesenchymal or epithelial tumour origin in the endometrium. The consistent loss or down-regulation of claudin-4, a tight junction protein, in SWI/SNF-deficient UECs/DDECs further supports the undifferentiated nature of these tumours.
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Authors | Basile Tessier-Cloutier, Robert A Soslow, Colin J R Stewart, Martin Köbel, Cheng-Han Lee |
Journal | Histopathology
(Histopathology)
Vol. 73
Issue 2
Pg. 299-305
(Aug 2018)
ISSN: 1365-2559 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 29671892
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. |
Chemical References |
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Claudin-4
|
Topics |
- Biomarkers, Tumor
(analysis)
- Claudin-4
(analysis, biosynthesis)
- Endometrial Neoplasms
(metabolism, pathology)
- Female
- Humans
|