CELL-ADHESION MOLECULES IN ESOPHAGEAL EPITHELIUM

The distribution of a range of integrins, E-cadherin, and carcino-embr yonic antigen (CEA) like molecules in normal human oesophageal epithel ium was investigated immunohistochemically on frozen sections of endos copic biopsy specimens. The integrin subunits alpha(2), alpha(3), alph a(6), alpha(v), beta(1) and beta(5) were expressed throughout the epit helium. There was strong expression of alpha(2), alpha(3), and beta(1) subunits in the basal cell layer and for all the subunits studied the intensity of the staining decreased cells moved towards the lumen. Th e heterodimer alpha(v) beta(3) was expressed weakly in the basal aspec t of the basal cell. layer only. The CEA molecules were not present in the basal cells layer but there was weak expression in the prickle ce ll layer and strong positivity in the mature functional layer. E-cadhe rin was found throughout the epithelium but was weakly expressed at th e basal aspect of the basal cells layer and showed strong positivity i n the prickle cell and squamous cell layers. These results indicate th at cell-cell (E-cadherin, CEA) and cell-matrix (integrins) adhesion mo lecules show a well defined spatial pattern of immuno-reactivity in th e oesophageal mucosa and may play a part in the maintenance of normal tissue architecture and physiological homeostasis.