E-cadherin Gene (CDH1) Expression in Low Grade Astrocytoma

Mymensingh Med J. 2021 Apr;30(2):315-322.

Abstract

Astrocytoma is the commonest primary brain tumor. These are feared due to their invasiveness in brain parenchyma so are less amenable to surgical removal and current chemotherapy regimens with a high mortality rate. Cell adhesion molecule (CAM) E-cadherin (CDH1) downregulation has been associated with tumors of different system and organs featuring invasion and metastasis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to find out the level of E-cadherin gene expression in low grade astrocytoma. In this cross-sectional study, 22 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue were taken as cases. Three non tumorous brain tissue and 1fresh post-mortem brain tissue were taken as control. Histological features were studied under light microscope with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E stain). Expression of CDH1 gene was analyzed by real time - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by comparative cyclic threshold (Ct) value method. The change in E-cadherin expression was measured by fold change in comparison with the control brain tissue. The data was tabulated and statistical analysis was performed. Among the 22 study cases 8(36.36%) were World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I and 14(63.63%) were WHO Grade II. All tumors showed downregulation of CDH1 gene in comparison with non-tumorous control tissue. The result is statistically significant (p=0.019). So, the study data revealed that downregulation of E-cadherin gene occurs in low grade astrocytoma and tumors of WHO Grade II showed more downregulation than Grade I tumors.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Astrocytoma* / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CDH1 protein, human
  • Cadherins