The expression of c-erbB-2 protein in the keratinocytes of oral mucosal lichen planus.
The expression of the c-erbB-2 protein was studied in the keratinocytes from patients with: (i) oral mucosal lichen planus (OLP) (n = 26); (ii) oral mucosal squamous cell carcinoma (OMSCC) which had arisen in mucosa affected by OLP (n = 5); and (iii) normal oral mucosa (n = 5). C-erbB-2 protein was expressed on the cell membranes of the keratinocytes of nucleated epithelium in the stratum spinosum. The antigenic determinant recognized represents the cytoplasmic domain of a cell surface receptor which binds an as yet uncharacterized heparin binding ligand of unknown function. The specimens from the five normal subjects showed positive immunohistochemical staining with the monoclonal c-erbB-2 protein antibody, the OMSCC specimens were negative, and 23 of 26 of the OLP specimens were positive. The lack of c-erbB-2 expression in the three OLP and in the five OMSCC specimens may indicate a genetic alteration, or masking of the expression of c-erbB-2. The absence of expression in OLP specimens might be an indicator of the possibility of future neoplastic transformation.
Kilpi
A
A
School of Dental Science, University of Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Rich
A M
AM
Konttinen
Y T
YT
Reade
P C
PC
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis*
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases