Simultaneous expression of cadherin-11 in signet-ring cell carcinoma and stromal cells of diffuse-type gastric cancer

We examined the expression of cadherin-11, a type II cadherin, in normal human tissues, cell lines and gastric cancer surgical specimens. Cadherin-11 was expressed widely in adult tissues, except the liver. It was expressed in fibroblast, mesothelial cell lines, and in only two signet ring cell carcinomas out of 16 various cancer cell lines. Cadherin-11 expression was detected in both signet ring cell carcinoma cells and surrounding fibroblasts of surgical specimens by in situ hybridization. These results suggest that cadherin-11 may play a role in the formation of diffuse-type gastric cancer through cancer-stromal interactions.