title: Distribution of beta 1, alpha 1, alpha 2 and alpha 3 integrin chains in basal cell carcinomas.
abstract: The integrins are alpha beta heterodimeric transmembrane proteins mediating cell-substratum as well as cell-cell interactions. Changes in their expression and/or function seem to occur in a number of malignant epithelial neoplasms and may in part explain their abnormal patterns of growth and differentiation. Using monoclonal antibodies to the beta 1 (DH12), alpha 1 (TS2/7), alpha 2 (B1.515), and alpha 3 (E1.56) integrin chains, the alpha 1 beta 1 (VLA-1), alpha 2 beta 1 (VLA-2), and alpha 3 beta 1 (VLA-3) integrin receptors were studied on cryostat sections of 22 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and adjacent normal tissues by a standard peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. In non-neoplastic skin, VLA-2 and VLA-3 were found in the basal layer, eccrine glands, and cells of the outer root sheath in which VLA-1 was detected. In BCCs, there was a considerably higher expression of VLA-2 and VLA-3 compared with epidermal basal cells but similar to that seen in hair bulb and outer root sheath. In two cases of nodular BCC showing evidence of regression, both VLA-2 and VLA-3 were completely negative, in contrast to non-regressing foci which were strongly positive. The high level of expression of two adhesion molecules (VLA-2 and VLA-3) involved in cell-substratum as well as cell-cell interactions may account for the more indolent pattern of growth characteristic of BCC and perhaps reflect its high degree of differentiation towards the hair follicle.
authors.affiliation: ICRF/RCS Histopathology Unit, London, U.K.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Stamp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pignatelli
mesh_terms: D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D016029:Receptors, Very Late Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016029:Receptors, Very Late Antigen