Esophageal Cancer
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2003. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 15, 2003; 9(6): 1182-1186
Published online Jun 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i6.1182
Upregulated expression of Ezrin and invasive phenotype in malignantly transformed esophageal epithelial cells
Zhong-Ying Shen, Li-Yan Xu, Ming-Hua Chen, En-Min Li, Jin-Tao Li, Xian-Ying Wu, Yi Zeng
Zhong-Ying Shen, Li-Yan Xu, Ming-Hua Chen, Jin-Tao Li, Xian-Ying Wu, Department of Pathology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, 515031, Guangdong Province China
En-Min Li, Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, 515031, China
Yi Zeng, Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing 100052, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 39830380, 39900069), Research and Development Foundation of Shantou University (L00012) and the Chinese National Human Genome Center, Beijing
Correspondence to: Professor Zhong-Ying Shen, Department of Pathology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou 515031, Guangdong Province, China. zhongyingshen@yahoo.com
Telephone: +86-754-8538621 Fax: +86-754-8537516
Received: March 12, 2003
Revised: March 24, 2003
Accepted: April 19, 2003
Published online: June 15, 2003
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the correlation between ezrin expression and invasive phenotype formation in malignantly transformed esophageal epithelial cells.

METHODS: The experimental cell line employed in the present study was originated form the progressive induction of a human embryonic esophageal epithelial cell line (SHEE) by the E6E7 genes of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 18. The cells at the 35th passage after induction called SHEEIMM were in a state of immortalized phase and used as the control, while that of the 85th passage denominated as SHEEMT represented the status of cells that were malignantly transformed. The expression changes of ezrin and its mRNA in both cell passages were respectively analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Invasive phenotype was assessed in vivo by inoculating these cells into the severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice via subcutaneous and intraperitoneal injection, and in vitro by inoculating them on the surface of the amnion membranes, which then was determined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS: Upregulated expression of ezrin protein and its mRNA was observed in SHEEMT compared with that in SHEEIMM cells. The SHEEMT cells inoculated in SCID mice were observed forming tumor masses in both visceral organs and soft tissues in a period of 40 d with a special propensity to invading mesentery and pancreas, but did not exhibit hepatic metastases. Pathologically, these tumor cells harboring larger nucleus, nucleolus and less cytoplasm could infiltrate and destroy adjacent tissues. In the in vitro study, the inoculated SHEEMT cells could grow in cluster on the amniotic epithelial surface and intrude into the amniotic stroma. In contrast, unrestricted growth and invasiveness were not found in SHEEIMM cells in both in vivo and in vitro experiment.

CONCLUSION: The upregulated ezrin expression is one of the important factors that are possibly associated with the invasive phenotype formation in malignantly transformed esophageal epithelial cells.

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