Mutation spectrum in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in gastric fundic gland-associated neoplasms/polyps

Virchows Arch. 2015 Jul;467(1):27-38. doi: 10.1007/s00428-015-1753-4. Epub 2015 Mar 29.

Abstract

Frequent activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has recently been demonstrated in gastric adenocarcinoma/neoplasia of chief cell predominant type (GA-CCP/GN-CCP) with submucosal involvement. In this study, we examined the activation status of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in GN-CCP without submucosal involvement, which is referred to as gastric dysplasia-CCP (GD-CCP). We also examined β-catenin expression and the mutation spectrum of PPP2R1A and Wnt pathway genes in 11 cases of GD-CCP, 25 cases of gastric polyps of fundic gland type (GPs-FG), and 21 cases of GPs-FG with dysplasia (GP-FGD). β-catenin nuclear staining was observed in 3 cases of GD-CCP, none of GPs-FG, and 6 cases of GPs-FGD. Mutations in Wnt pathway genes, including PPP2R1A, were observed in 4 cases of GDs-CCP, 10 cases of GPs-FG, and 7 cases of GPs-FGD. Two of these seven GPs-FGD cases showed β-catenin nuclear staining. However, none of the 4 GD-CCP cases with mutations or the 10 GPs-FG cases with mutations showed β-catenin nuclear staining. PPP2R1A mutations were observed in 1 GD-CCP case and 1 GPs-FGD case. Although the mutation spectra of the Wnt pathway genes in GD-CCP and GP-FG differed, based on the absence of β-catenin nuclear staining despite the genetic alterations, GD-CCP is more similar to GP-FG than to GN-CCP, which shows β-catenin nuclear staining and submucosal involvement. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling by the β-catenin nuclear transition may be required during progression from GD-CCP to GN-CCP. Furthermore, this is the first report describing PPP2R1A mutations in gastric fundic gland-associated neoplasms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenomatous Polyps / genetics
  • Adenomatous Polyps / pathology*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Gastric Fundus / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / genetics
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology*
  • beta Catenin / analysis
  • beta Catenin / genetics*

Substances

  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • PPP2R1A protein, human
  • beta Catenin
  • Protein Phosphatase 2

Supplementary concepts

  • Polyposis, Gastric