title: Expression of the alpha 6 beta 4 integrin by squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas: possible relation to invasive potential?
abstract: We have studied the expression of alpha 6 beta 4 integrin, a carcinoma laminin receptor in ten squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and ten basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) of the skin in order to examine whether changes in alpha 6 beta 4 integrin expression may be related to invasive and metastatic potential. Monoclonal antibodies specific for each subunit were applied on cryosections, using a three step indirect peroxidase technique. In normal epidermis the basal cells expressed both the alpha 6 and the beta 4 subunits, and the expression was polarized against the basement membrane. In SCCs the expression of the alpha 6 and the beta 4 subunits paralleled each other, showing an increased intensity and loss of polarity. The BCCs, however, showed consistently decreased expression of both the alpha 6 and the beta 4 subunits. The results of our study, as well as those of other studies, support the assumption that the increase and depolarization of alpha 6 beta 4 integrin that occurs in SCCs might be related to the invasive properties of this tumour type.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rossen
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Dahlstrøm
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mercurio
authors.forename: U M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Wewer
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D039161:Integrin alpha6beta4; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D039161:Integrin alpha6beta4; D016023:Integrins