Immunohistochemical studies on the localization of fetal antigen 2 (FA2), laminin, and collagen type 4 in basal cell carcinoma.
The localization of fetal antigen 2 (FA2), a recently described basement membrane (BM) associated antigen, was studied by immunohistochemical techniques in 21 basal cell carcinomas (BCC). In both superficial and infiltrating BCC, FA2 was located in a broad diffuse band around the tumor elements and in close contact with the BM. Compared to normal skin, a more extensive distribution of FA2 was seen in BCC. In the infiltrating BCC, FA2 staining was also present in the interstitial stroma between the tumor islands. FA2 was absent in areas with inflammatory cell infiltrates and elastoid degeneration. Epithelial and tumor cells were FA2 negative. The distribution of FA2 was clearly different from that of laminin and collagen type 4. Collagen type 4 and laminin were present as a continuous linear band corresponding to the BM surrounding the tumors. The close contact to the BM and the increased content of FA2 in the reactive stroma around BCC suggest that FA2 is involved in the matrix and/or BM changes taking place during tumor growth and invasion.
Department of Dermatology, Odense University, Denmark.
H B
HB
Rasmussen
B
B
Teisner
J A
JA
Andersen
F
F
Brandrup
T
T
Purkis
I
I
Leigh
D000941:Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
D000941:Antigens; D007797:Laminin; D003094:Collagen