Gestational trophoblastic neoplasms (GTNs) do not display epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) features.

ABSTRACT

Although epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been described in the development of complete hydatidiform moles and the invasion of the maternal decidua by trophoblasts during normal human placentation, its implication in gestational trophoblastic neoplasm (GTN) without villi is totally unknown. We studied the immunoexpression of EMT transcription factors (TWIST1, ZEB1, ZEB2), E-cadherin, and vimentin in 18 trophoblastic tumors and pseudo-tumors. Weak nuclear TWIST1 immunostaining was seen in 5% to 10% of all trophoblastic cells, without ZEB1 and ZEB2 nuclear staining. Trophoblastic cells did not express vimentin, and the expression of E-cadherin was maintained in all cases, indicating the absence of EMT features in GTN.