BACKGROUND: The anterior gradient protein-2 (AGR2) is overexpressed in numerous tumours such as breast, prostate or pancreas carcinomas and recently reported in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIMS: In the present study, we further describe AGR2 expression patterns all along the adult and fetal biliary tree and in cholangiocarcinomas. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry using anti-AGR2 antibodies was performed in adult and fetal livers, gallbladders as well as cholangiocarcinomas and HCCs. RESULTS: In adult and fetal liver, the tall epithelial cells covering the large bile ducts as well as gallbladder epithelial cells showed strong AGR2 staining. Hilar and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, and a subset of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, which displayed a morphological mucus-excreting feature, also displayed AGR2 expression. In contrast, AGR2 expression was not detected in typical HCCs. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the differential expression of AGR2 is a phenotypic feature of the cholangiocytes covering different segments of the biliary tree. This pattern of expression is conserved during fetal and adult life, as well as during biliary carcinogenesis.
BACKGROUND: The anterior gradient protein-2 (AGR2) is overexpressed in numerous tumours such as breast, prostate or pancreas carcinomas and recently reported in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIMS: In the present study, we further describe AGR2 expression patterns all along the adult and fetal biliary tree and in cholangiocarcinomas. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry using anti-AGR2 antibodies was performed in adult and fetal livers, gallbladders as well as cholangiocarcinomas and HCCs. RESULTS: In adult and fetal liver, the tall epithelial cells covering the large bile ducts as well as gallbladder epithelial cells showed strong AGR2 staining. Hilar and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, and a subset of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas, which displayed a morphological mucus-excreting feature, also displayed AGR2 expression. In contrast, AGR2 expression was not detected in typical HCCs. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the differential expression of AGR2 is a phenotypic feature of the cholangiocytes covering different segments of the biliary tree. This pattern of expression is conserved during fetal and adult life, as well as during biliary carcinogenesis.
Authors: Luc Negroni; Said Taouji; Daniela Arma; Nestor Pallares-Lupon; Kristen Leong; Lee Anne Beausang; Martin Latterich; Roger Bossé; Charles Balabaud; Jean-Marie Schmitter; Paulette Bioulac-Sage; Jessica Zucman-Rossi; Jean Rosenbaum; Eric Chevet Journal: Mol Cell Proteomics Date: 2014-09-15 Impact factor: 5.911
Authors: Su Jin Kim; Suyeon Jun; Hee-Yeon Cho; Dong Chul Lee; Young Il Yeom; Jong Hyeok Kim; Dongchul Kang Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2014-11-03 Impact factor: 4.430