A Study for Integrin beta4 Expression in the Neoplastic Progression of Uterine Cervical Epithelium.

Lee, K H; Nam, K H; Cho, T H

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1998;41(2):447-453.
Published online January 1, 2001.

A Study for Integrin beta4 Expression in the Neoplastic Progression of Uterine Cervical Epithelium.

Abstract

Integrin beta4 is expressed in normal squamous epithelium and in squamous cell carcin-omas. We evaluated by immunohisto- chemistry the topography of the beta4 subunit in 40 biopsy samples representative of the sequence from normal exocervical epithelium to invas-ive squamous cell carcinoma. In normal and metaplastic squamous cervical epithelium, and in condylomas, beta4 was detected in basal and parabasal cells. In moderate and severe dys-plasia there were enhanced beta4 expression and upward shift of beta4 topography to the whole epithelial thickness. The beta4 chain was diffusely expressed in most invasive squamous cell carcinomas. These observations suggest that profound alterations in the expression of the alpha6beta4 adhesion glycoprotein occur in the intraepithelial phase of cervical carcinogenesis.

Key Words: Carcinogenesis, Cervical cancer, Integrin