Objective
To investigate the expressions of atypical protein kinase C1 subtype (aPKC-1) and E-cadherin in cholangiocarcinoma, and analyze molecular mechanisms of the invasion and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma.
Methods
The expressions of aPKC-1 and E-cadherin in 9 specimens of benign bile duct tissues and 35 specimens of cholangiocarcinoma were detected by EnVision immunohistochemistry, and their correlations to the clinicopathologic characteristics and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma were analyzed.
Results
The positive rate of aPKC-1 was significantly higher in cholangiocarcinoma than in benign bile duct tissues (68.6% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.006), while the positive rate of E-cadherin was significantly lower in cholangiocarcinoma than in benign bile duct tissues (37.1% vs. 88.9%, P = 0.016). aPKC-1 expression was negatively correlated to E-cadherin expression (r = −0.287, P < 0.05). aPKC-1 expression was positively and E-cadherin expression was negatively correlated to the differentiation and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
The expressions of aPKC-1 and E-cadherin may reflect the differentiation and invasive potential of cholangiocarcinoma. As a polar regulation-associated protein, aPKC-1 may play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma.