Abstract
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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 350-355 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Pathology |
| Volume | 186 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
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E-cadherin/catenin complex in benign and malignant melanocytic lesions. / Silye, R.; Karayiannakis, A. J.; Syrigos, K. N.; Poole, S.; Van Noorden, S.; Batchelor, W.; Regele, H.; Sega, W.; Boesmueller, H.; Krausz, T.; Pignatelli, M.
In: Journal of Pathology, Vol. 186, No. 4, 1998, p. 350-355.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
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
Y1 - 1998
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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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0032413528&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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 -