Perilipin 1 is a highly specific marker for adipocytic differentiation in sarcomas with intermediate sensitivity.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Liposarcomas are the most common soft tissue sarcomas of adults. The identification of lipoblastic cells in soft tissue sarcomas is mandatory for the diagnosis of most subtypes of liposarcomas but may be difficult in conventional histology. The present study focuses on the expression and possible diagnostic impact of two PAT family proteins, perilipin 1/perilipin and perilipin 2/adipophilin in human liposarcomas.

METHODS:

Eighty-seven cases of liposarcomas and 30 cases of non-lipomatous sarcomas were investigated immunohistochemically for perilipin 1 and 2 using entire tissue sections. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate tests.

RESULTS:

Most liposarcomas and non-lipomatous sarcomas displayed positivity for perilipin 2. In contrast, while more than two-thirds of liposarcomas presented perilipin 1 positivity, all non-lipomatous sarcomas studied were negative for this marker, with statistical significance (p < 0.001). Perilipin 1 expression increased with adipocytic differentiation of liposarcoma subtypes showing statistical significance (p < 0.001). Non-lipomatous sarcomas demonstrated variable expression levels of perilipin 2. The expression level of perilipin 2 appeared to be correlated with tumor cell degeneration, e.g., through hypoxia.

CONCLUSIONS:

Perilipin 2 is not well suitable for distinction between liposarcomas and non-lipomatous sarcomas. However, perilipin 1 appeared to be a highly specific marker for liposarcoma and adipocytic differentiation in sarcomas with intermediate sensitivity.

• Authors: Christina C Westhoff, Janice Mrozinski, Ina Riedel, Hans W Heid, Roland Moll
• Journal: Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology (J Cancer Res Clin Oncol) Vol. 143 Issue 2 Pg. 225-232 (Feb 2017) ISSN: 1432-1335 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 27646609 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• PLIN1 protein, human
• PLIN2 protein, human
• Perilipin-1
• Perilipin-2

Topics

• Adipocytes
• Biomarkers, Tumor (metabolism)
• Cell Differentiation
• Humans
• Liposarcoma (metabolism)
• Perilipin-1 (metabolism)
• Perilipin-2 (metabolism)
• Sensitivity and Specificity