Immunohistochemical evaluation of epidermis overlying basal cell carcinomas.
We have examined the character and carcinogenic properties of the normal-appearing epidermis overlying basal cell carcinomas by immunohistochemical methods, employing a series of monoclonal antibodies. The labelling index was significantly increased in the atrophic epidermis overlying basal cell carcinomas (solid type, n = 20), compared with the epidermis overlying or adjacent to squamous cell carcinoma (n = 20), keratoacanthoma (n = 10), dermatofibroma (n = 10), neurofibroma (n = 10), soft fibroma (n = 10), pyogenic granuloma (n = 10) and cutaneous leiomyoma (n = 5). Cells which expressed epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor were detected in all layers of the epidermis over the basal cell carcinomas, but not the other tumours. Basement membrane-related antigens, including bullous pemphigoid antigen and GB3 antigen, were decreased in the epidermis. AE1, the monoclonal antibody against basal cell keratin, reacted with the uppermost layers of the normal-appearing epidermis overlying the basal cell carcinomas. ICAM-1 expression was very weak in the overlying epidermis. The dermis subjacent to the proliferating epidermis showed staining for transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), strong positive PECAM-1 staining of endothelium, and numerous HLA-DR-positive cells. From these results, we suggest that the proliferative activity in the epidermis overlying basal cell carcinomas is not a state induced by the dermal infiltrate, but represents carcinogenic activity of the epidermis.
Kikuchi
A
A
Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Sakuraoka
K
K
Shimizu
H
H
Nishikawa
T
T
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000032:analysis; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004817:Epidermis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D001324:Autoantigens; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007633:Keratins; D004247:DNA; D066246:ErbB Receptors