Expression of the adhesion molecule CEACAM1 (CD66a, BGP, C-CAM) in breast cancer is associated with the expression of the tumor-suppressor genes Rb, Rb2, and p27

• Published in: Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology 2002-02, Vol.440 (2), p.139-144
• Main Authors: BAMBERGER, Ana-Maria, KAPPES, Holger, METHNER, Carola, RIECK, Gabriele, BRÜMMER, Jens, WAGENER, Christoph, LÖNING, Thomas, MILDE-LANGOSCH, Karin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antigens, CD - biosynthesis; Antigens, Differentiation - biosynthesis; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Carcinoma - metabolism; Carcinoma - secondary; Carrier Proteins - biosynthesis; Carrier Proteins - genetics; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Female; Genes, Retinoblastoma; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Male; Mammary gland diseases; Medical sciences; Microfilament Proteins - biosynthesis; Microfilament Proteins - genetics; Middle Aged; Muscle Proteins; Retinoblastoma Protein - biosynthesis; Retinoblastoma Protein - genetics; Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 2; Tumor Suppressor Proteins; Tumors
• ISSN: 0945-6317; 1432-2307
• DOI: 10.1007/s00428-001-0554-0

The adhesion molecule CEACAM1 (CD66a, BGP, C-CAM) is not only involved in maintaining normal tissue architecture, but also acts as a tumor suppressor in several experimental systems where loss of CEACAM1 expression results in enhanced tumor-cell growth and tumorigenicity. In order to further analyze the role of CEACAM1 in the development of breast cancer, we performed Western-blot analysis and immunohistochemistry with highly specific monoclonal antibodies in a cohort of 68 mammary carcinomas which had also been analyzed for expression of cell-cycle regulatory proteins cyclin D1, cyclin E, p16, p21, p27, Rb, and Rb2, as well as for steroid hormone receptor status, Ki67, and HER2/neu immunoreactivity. High CEACAM1 protein expression as found using both methods correlated significantly with expression of the retinoblastoma proteins Rb (P=0.004 and 0.013) and Rb2/p130 (P=0.003 and 0.007). In addition, we found a weak association of CEACAM1 expression with p27 protein levels (P=0.087 and 0.039), but with none of the other analyzed parameters. These results indicate the possibility of a functional link between cell-adhesion molecules and cell-cycle regulation that might play an important role in the development of mammary carcinomas.