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Int J Clin Exp Pathol 2010;3(8):755-762
Original Article
Immunohistochemical detection of epithelial-mesenchymal transition associated with
stemness phenotype in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
Jing Liu, Robert E. Brown
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School, Houston, TX, USA.
Received September 3, 2010; accepted September 28, 2010; available online October 1, 2010
Abstract: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm resistant to radiation and chemotherapy.
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) generating cells with stem cell characteristics have been reported to be associated with
chemoradioresistance in cultured cells. However, EMT and stem cell properties in ATC have not been fully investigated. In this study, we
retrieved 2 thyroidectomy specimens of ATC with coexisting well differentiated thyroid carcinomas including one papillary carcinoma (PTC) and
one follicular carcinoma (FTC). We used immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of stem cell markers (nestin, CD133 and CD44)
and a marker for EMT (E-cadherin). Intense expressions of nestin, CD133 and CD44, and no expression of E-cadherin were observed in both
ATCs. In contrast, the PTC and FTC, and non-neoplastic thyroid tissue in both cases were negative for nestin and positive for E-cadherin. The
expressions of CD133 and CD44 were variable in the PTC, FTC, and non-neoplastic thyroid tissue and were at a lower level of expression of
these markers in the overall pattern. The results confirmed EMT, demonstrated the stem cell phenotype in ATC, and revealed the difference in
expression of these markers between ATC and DTCs/non-neoplastic thyroid tissue. Nestin may be the most specific marker for stemness in
ATC by immunohistochemial staining. The results warrant future studies on a large series of cases in order to gain the understanding of the
tumor biology and to provide molecular basis for restoring the sensitivities to clinical therapies. (IJCEP1009002).
Keywords: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, cancer stem cell, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, follicular thyroid carcinoma,
immunohistochemistry, papillary thyroid carcinoma
Full text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Jing Liu, MD, PhD
Department of Pathology & Laboratory
University of Texas Medical School at Houston
6431 Fannin Street, MSB 2.260A
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: (713) 500-5327
Fax: (713) 500-0733
Email: jing.liu.1@uth.tmc.edu
Original Article
Immunohistochemical detection of epithelial-mesenchymal transition associated with
stemness phenotype in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
Jing Liu, Robert E. Brown
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School, Houston, TX, USA.
Received September 3, 2010; accepted September 28, 2010; available online October 1, 2010
Abstract: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm resistant to radiation and chemotherapy.
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) generating cells with stem cell characteristics have been reported to be associated with
chemoradioresistance in cultured cells. However, EMT and stem cell properties in ATC have not been fully investigated. In this study, we
retrieved 2 thyroidectomy specimens of ATC with coexisting well differentiated thyroid carcinomas including one papillary carcinoma (PTC) and
one follicular carcinoma (FTC). We used immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of stem cell markers (nestin, CD133 and CD44)
and a marker for EMT (E-cadherin). Intense expressions of nestin, CD133 and CD44, and no expression of E-cadherin were observed in both
ATCs. In contrast, the PTC and FTC, and non-neoplastic thyroid tissue in both cases were negative for nestin and positive for E-cadherin. The
expressions of CD133 and CD44 were variable in the PTC, FTC, and non-neoplastic thyroid tissue and were at a lower level of expression of
these markers in the overall pattern. The results confirmed EMT, demonstrated the stem cell phenotype in ATC, and revealed the difference in
expression of these markers between ATC and DTCs/non-neoplastic thyroid tissue. Nestin may be the most specific marker for stemness in
ATC by immunohistochemial staining. The results warrant future studies on a large series of cases in order to gain the understanding of the
tumor biology and to provide molecular basis for restoring the sensitivities to clinical therapies. (IJCEP1009002).
Keywords: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, cancer stem cell, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, follicular thyroid carcinoma,
immunohistochemistry, papillary thyroid carcinoma
Full text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Jing Liu, MD, PhD
Department of Pathology & Laboratory
University of Texas Medical School at Houston
6431 Fannin Street, MSB 2.260A
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: (713) 500-5327
Fax: (713) 500-0733
Email: jing.liu.1@uth.tmc.edu
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