title: Differential expression of factor XIIIa and CD34 in cutaneous mesenchymal tumors.
abstract: The histogenetic relationship amongst various dendritic cells of the dermis which may express markers including factor XIIIa (FXIIIa) or CD34 remains unclear. In this study we utilized a sensitive indirect immunoperoxidase staining technique to identify CD34 and FXIIIa, as well the monocyte/macrophage markers KP-1 and MAC 387 expression in a variety of cutaneous dermal tumors of mesenchymal origin to see if differential expression of CD34 vs FXIIIa exists. Tumors studied included dermatofibroma (DF) (N = 10), keloid (N = 9), atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) (N = 3), and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) (N = 7). DF were all composed of FXIIIa+ spindle-shaped and stellate tumor cells (mean score = 4.9 or > or = 75% FXIIIa+) as previously reported, but these cells rarely (< 10%) expressed CD34. Six of 7 DFSP were found to be > 75% CD34+ and FXIIIa negative, while one DFSP was negative for both CD34 and FXIIIa. In all DFSP, there were trapped FXIIIa+ cells which were distinct from the spindle-shaped tumor cells. AFX showed sparse populations of FXIIIa+ cells in the stroma (mean score = 1.33 or 10-25% positive), which were distinct from the atypical giant cells characteristic of these tumors. Keloid similarly contained trapped FXIIIa+ cells (mean score = 0.44 or < 5% positive) that were distinct from the spindle-shaped fibroblasts of the tumor mass. Dendritic and spindle-shaped cells within these tumors were consistently both KP-1 and Mac-387 negative, while all lesions studied were characterized by scattered round, histiocytic cells which were KP-1+ and/or Mac-387+ irrespective of tumor cell type.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Altman
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Nickoloff
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Fivenson
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000737:chemistry*; D005350:Fibroma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D011503:Transglutaminases