Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in Spitz nevus.
BACKGROUND
Epithelioid and spindle cell nevus (ESN; Spitz nevus) is a histologically well-described entity. We hypothesized that the features of ESN may reflect activation by a proliferative stimulus.


OBJECTIVE
Nevocytes and keratinocytes in ESN and control specimens were examined for expression of the proliferation marker, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).


METHODS
Standard immunohistochemical methods were used to examine the expression of PCNA in a series of ESN, other nevi, and malignant melanoma.


RESULTS
PCNA was detected in nevocytes in a significant percentage of ESN but not in other nevi. PCNA expression was increased in basilar keratinocytes in ESN when compared with staining of basilar keratinocytes in normal epidermis. In other melanocytic nevi and noninflamed melanoma, PCNA expression in keratinocytes was similar to that in normal control tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased PCNA labeling in nevocytes and keratinocytes in ESN suggests that a growth stimulus, present within some of these lesions, affects both keratinocytes and nevocytes.
Penneys
N
N
Division of Dermatology, Saint Louis University, MO, USA.
Seigfried
E
E
Nahass
G
G
Vogler
C
C
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D018332:Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen