Expression of Cdx2 and Ll-cadherin in intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa and gastric adenocarcinoma of the intestinal type

Objective To explore the expression of caudal type homeobox transcription factor 2 （Cdx2） and liver intestinal cadherin （LI-CD） in intestinal metaplasia （IM） of gastric mucosa and gastric adenocarcinoma of the intestinal type （GAIT）. Methods By using immunohistoehemical method, the expressions of Cdx2 and LI-CD were detected in biopsy sample including 30 cases of GAIT, 30 IM and 30 normal controls. Results The positive rate of Cdx2 expression was 0, 93.3% and 46.7% in normal stomach mucosa, IM and GAIT, respectively. The positive rates of Cdx2 expression in IM and GAIT were significantly higher than that in normal stomach mucosa （ P 〈 0. 005 ） , and the expression of Cdx2 in IM was significantly higher than that in GAIT （P 〈0. 005）. Similarly, LI-CD was also negative in normal stomach mucosa, and positive rates were 96. 7% and 73.3% in IM and GAIT group, which were significantly higher than that in normal stomach mucasa （ P 〈 0. 005 ） , and LI-CD expression was also significantly higher in IM than in GAIT （P 〈 0. 05 ）. In addition, the staining intensity of Cdx2 and LI-CD expressions in IM exhibited significant correlation （ r =0. 827, P 〈 0. 01 ）, but those in GAIT did not （ r = 0. 438, P = 0. 117 ）. Conclusion Eetopic expression of Cdx2 and LI-CD can be found in IM and GAIT tissues, which could be an early marker in the disease progression. There is correlation between Cdx2 and LI-CD exorcssion in IM tissue of human, and presumably, Cdx2 regulates LI-CD in IM development. Key words: Cdx-2 protein ;  LI cadherin liver-intestine ） protein ;  Human ;  Stomach ;  Metaplasia ;  Adenocareinoma