Functions of EpCAM in physiological processes and diseases (Review)

Abstract

EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, which was originally identified as a tumor-associated antigen due to its high expression level in rapidly growing epithelial tumors. Germ line mutations of the human EpCAM gene have been indicated as the cause of congenital tufting enteropathy. Previous studies based on cell models have revealed that EpCAM contributes to various biological processes including cell adhesion, signaling, migration and proliferation. Due to the previous lack of genetic animal models, the in vivo functions of EpCAM remain largely unknown. However, EpCAM genetic animal models have recently been generated, and are useful for understanding the functions of EpCAM. The authors here briefly review the functions and mechanisms of EpCAM in physiological processes and different diseases.

The expression of EpCAM in extramammary Paget's disease

“…Overexpression of EpCAM was associated with an advanced stage of the disease and linked to worse overall survival in certain tumor types (2). On the other hand, EpCAM could be a tumor suppressive protein in certain types of cancers (7). In gastric cancer, EpCAM appeared to be associated with a more favorable prognosis (14).…”

“…The anti-EpCAM antibody (catumaxomab) has been authorized for treatment of malignant ascites in cancer patients (3). On the other hand, EpCAM has been reported to be a tumor suppressive protein in certain types of cancers such as oral, rectal and endometrial carcinoma (4-6) although the molecular mechanism of the tumor suppressive function of EpCAM in several cancers has not been found yet (7). Moreover, EpCAM is an important surface marker of circulating tumor cell (CTC) (8), and the CellSearch system (CTC detector of circulating EpCAM + CD45cells) is approved by FDA (9).…”

Endosomal spatio-temporal modulation of the cortical RhoA zone conditions epithelial cell organization

“…However, in physiological conditions, EpCAM is specifically expressed in epithelial layers which, by their intrinsic nature of interfaces, are under continuous mechanical stimulation and are subjected to acute remodeling events. Furthermore, EpCAM expression often increases in epithelial tumors, that are mechanically-challenging environments (Huang et al, 2018; Keller et al, 2019; Yahyazadeh Mashhadi et al, 2019). In addition, EpCAM is widely used as a marker for detection or isolation of circulating tumor cells derived from cancers of epithelial origin such as ovarian, breast or colorectal cancers (Dementeva et al, 2017; Li et al, 2019).…”

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) from pleural fluid cell lysates is a highly accurate diagnostic biomarker of adenocarcinomatous effusions

“…EpCAM is a 40‐kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that contributes to various biological processes and is highly expressed in a variety of epithelial carcinomas . ICC has been by far the most frequently employed technique to evaluate EpCAM, for which two antibodies are commonly used: BerEP4 and MOC31.…”