title: [Desmosomes in invasive laryngeal carcinoma (author's transl)].
abstract: The occurrence, morphology, and ultrastructural changes in intercellular desmosomes in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx was examined by electron miscroscopy. The number of desmosomes in laryngeal carcinomas was decreased as compared to normal epithelia. Structural alterations in the desmosomal components were also observed. Desmosomal structures were also found within the cytoplasm of the malignant keratinocytes. These exhibited the typical features of an intercellular desmosome. These intracytoplasmic desmosomal structures may originate from the cell surface by a process of internalization of desmosome-studded invaginations of the surface membrane. The results indicate that a deficiency of desmosomes may contribute to a loss of the intercellular adhesion, a property which is known to occur in malignant epithelial tumors.
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000503:physiopathology; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
vernacular_title: Desmosomen bei invasivem Larynxkarzinom.