Dysadherin

Dysadherin is a glycoprotein that mediates loss of cell-cell adhesion by downregulating e-cadherin.

Immunohistochemical expression

Dysadherin is expressed by a limited range of normal tissues, including:

lymphocytes
endothelium
basal cells of stratified squamous epithelium

In squamous carcinoma of the head and neck, a high level of dysadherin expression is associated with a higher clinical stage, including a higher rate of lymph node metastases at the time of diagnosis, with decreased e-cadherin expression and with poorer survival1.

Diagnostic utility

Possibly a prognostic marker in squamous carcinoma of the head and neck1.

References

1 Kyzas PA, Stefanou D, Batistatou A, et al. Dysadherin expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: association with lymphangiogenesis and prognostic significance. Am J Surg Pathol 2006; 30:185-93

This page last revised 9.4.2006.