RESUMO
Eicosatrienoic acid (ETA 5,8,11, n-9) is abnormally increased by essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD), a condition associated with alterations of cell proliferation and differentiation. In comparison to certain EFAs, addition of ETA at a low concentration resulted in a reduction in the expression of the cell-cell adhesion molecule, E-cadherin, and to a lesser degree, of desmoglein, along with increased invasion of Matrigel by human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells in vitro. At higher concentrations, ETA stimulated the growth of SCC cells. As previously shown, n-6 EFAs (mainly 18:3 n-6, GLA), up-regulated the expression of E-cadherin and desmoglein. This is the first report showing that the abnormal 20:3 n-9 (Mead's acid) is a down regulator of antimetastatic E-cadherin and desmoglein expression.