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Expression of desmosomal proteins in squamous cell carcinomas of the skin.

AbstractBACKGROUND:
Desmosomal proteins are well established markers of epithelial differentiation. Down-regulation of desmosomal proteins has been suggested to be a sign of reduced adhesiveness in metastasizing cells.
METHODS:
We examined actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin for the expression of desmosomal proteins using isoform-specific antibodies on paraffin-embedded sections. Evaluation was performed qualitatively in comparison to the epidermis and semiquantitatively using an area-intensity-score.
RESULTS:
We found no qualitative correlation of desmoplakin or plakoglobin expression with risk of metastasis. Plakophilin 1, desmoglein 1, and the desmocollins 1-3 were found to be heterogeneously expressed in all neoplasms without significant correlation to aggressive tumor behavior. Plakophilin 2 was not expressed in any of the neoplasms examined. As most striking finding, desmoglein 2 was up-regulated qualitatively in half of all neoplasms examined and showed a significant higher proportion of positive cells in high-risk SCC than in low-risk SCC.
CONCLUSIONS:
Desmosomal proteins are highly regulated in cutaneous SCC. Only desmoglein 2 expression correlates with risk of metastasis. Desmosomes may still be functional in metastasizing tumor cells.
AuthorsHjalmar Kurzen, Ivonne Münzing, Wolfgang Hartschuh
JournalJournal of cutaneous pathology (J Cutan Pathol) Vol. 30 Issue 10 Pg. 621-30 (Nov 2003) ISSN: 0303-6987 [Print] United States
PMID14744087 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DSG1 protein, human
  • DSG2 protein, human
  • DSP protein, human
  • Desmocollins
  • Desmoglein 1
  • Desmoglein 2
  • Desmogleins
  • Desmoplakins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • PKP1 protein, human
  • PKP2 protein, human
  • Plakophilins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Proteins
  • gamma Catenin
  • Racemases and Epimerases
  • NDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-glucose 3',5'-epimerase
Topics
  • Bowen's Disease (metabolism)
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (metabolism)
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins (metabolism)
  • Desmocollins
  • Desmoglein 1
  • Desmoglein 2
  • Desmogleins
  • Desmoplakins
  • Desmosomes (metabolism)
  • Epidermis (metabolism)
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Keratosis (metabolism)
  • Membrane Proteins (metabolism)
  • Plakophilins
  • Protein Isoforms (metabolism)
  • Proteins (metabolism)
  • Racemases and Epimerases
  • Skin Neoplasms (metabolism)
  • gamma Catenin

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