TY - JOUR
T1 - E-cadherin/catenin complex in benign and malignant melanocytic lesions
AU - Silye, R.
AU - Karayiannakis, A. J.
AU - Syrigos, K. N.
AU - Poole, S.
AU - Van Noorden, S.
AU - Batchelor, W.
AU - Regele, H.
AU - Sega, W.
AU - Boesmueller, H.
AU - Krausz, T.
AU - Pignatelli, M.
PY - 1998/12/1
Y1 - 1998/12/1
N2 - E-cadherin is a calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule expressed by melanocytes and responsible for their adhesion to keratinocytes in vitro. In this study, the expression of E-cadherin and its associated cytoplasmic proteins α-, β-, and γ-catenin was evaluated in melanocytic lesions by immunohistochemistry. E-cadherin expression was evaluated in 70 malignant melanomas and the catenins in 35 of these specimens. Twenty benign melanocytic naevi were also evaluated for E-cadherin and catenin expression. In normal epidermis, E-cadherin/catenin immunostaining was localized at the intercellular borders. In melanomas, a differential loss of E-cadherin expression was observed. Membranous E-cadherin staining was absent in dermal nests of melanomas in their radial growth phase and in Clark level II and III lesions, whereas it was present in a high proportion of melanomas in their vertical growth phase, in Clark level IV and V lesions and in metastasizing melanomas. In contrast, superficial compartments of naevi showed membranous E-cadherin immunoreactivity and junctional naevus cell nests displayed heterogeneous or diffuse cytoplasmic staining. Cytoplasmic α- and β- catenin, but not γ-catenin staining were detected in all benign and malignant lesions. These findings indicate that qualitative changes in the expression and cellular localization of E-cadherin and of α-, β-, and γ- catenin occur in melanocytic lesions and may reflect different stages in their progression.
AB - E-cadherin is a calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule expressed by melanocytes and responsible for their adhesion to keratinocytes in vitro. In this study, the expression of E-cadherin and its associated cytoplasmic proteins α-, β-, and γ-catenin was evaluated in melanocytic lesions by immunohistochemistry. E-cadherin expression was evaluated in 70 malignant melanomas and the catenins in 35 of these specimens. Twenty benign melanocytic naevi were also evaluated for E-cadherin and catenin expression. In normal epidermis, E-cadherin/catenin immunostaining was localized at the intercellular borders. In melanomas, a differential loss of E-cadherin expression was observed. Membranous E-cadherin staining was absent in dermal nests of melanomas in their radial growth phase and in Clark level II and III lesions, whereas it was present in a high proportion of melanomas in their vertical growth phase, in Clark level IV and V lesions and in metastasizing melanomas. In contrast, superficial compartments of naevi showed membranous E-cadherin immunoreactivity and junctional naevus cell nests displayed heterogeneous or diffuse cytoplasmic staining. Cytoplasmic α- and β- catenin, but not γ-catenin staining were detected in all benign and malignant lesions. These findings indicate that qualitative changes in the expression and cellular localization of E-cadherin and of α-, β-, and γ- catenin occur in melanocytic lesions and may reflect different stages in their progression.
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U2 - 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9896(199812)186:4<350::AID-PATH181>3.0.CO;2-K
DO - 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9896(199812)186:4<350::AID-PATH181>3.0.CO;2-K
M3 - Article
C2 - 10209482
AN - SCOPUS:0032413528
VL - 186
SP - 350
EP - 355
JO - Journal of Pathology
JF - Journal of Pathology
SN - 0022-3417
IS - 4
ER -