title: Cytokeratin and laminin immunostaining in the diagnosis of cutaneous neuro-endocrine (Merkel cell) tumours.
abstract: Nine cutaneous neuro-endocrine tumours have been immunostained with monoclonal antibodies to low molecular weight cytokeratin (CAM 5.2) and neurofilament. Polyclonal antisera to neurone-specific enolase, calcitonin and laminin were also used. All nine cases showed paranuclear, dot-like positive staining with CAM 5.2 and diffuse cytoplasmic staining for neurone-specific enolase. Neurofilament and calcitonin immunoreactivity could not be demonstrated. All tumours were negative for laminin immunoreactivity. The limitations of staining for neurone-specific enolase are discussed and the value of CAM 5.2 in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous neuro-endocrine tumours is emphasized. The histogenetic implications of the absence of laminin staining are considered.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000473:pathology; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis*; D007797:Laminin / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009423:Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000473:pathology*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007797:Laminin; D007633:Keratins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase