Cadherin expression in melanocytic naevi and malignant melanomas.
An immunocytochemical study has been undertaken of cadherin expression in 11 benign melanocytic naevi and 14 malignant melanomas. Anti-pan-cadherin rabbit antibodies, which recognize multiple cadherin subtypes, demonstrated cadherin expression of moderate or strong intensity in 8 of 11 naevi. Expression was restricted to the more superficial melanocytes which possessed abundant cytoplasm (type A melanocytes). More deeply located melanocytes possessing little cytoplasm (type B melanocytes) or having a spindle cell morphology (type C melanocytes) lacked detectable pan-cadherin expression. The monoclonal antibody HECD-1 detected weak E-cadherin immunostaining in all 11 naevi, expression again being limited, with a single exception, to type A melanocytes. Cadherin immunostaining of moderate or strong intensity was detected by the pan-cadherin antibody in all 14 malignant melanomas. In contrast to naevi, cadherin expression in melanomas frequently extended into the deepest portions of the tumours. E-cadherin immunostaining in malignant melanomas was generally much stronger than that seen in naevi, often being of comparable intensity to the pan-cadherin staining. In summary, cadherins are frequently expressed in melanocytic tumours. In naevi, cadherin expression is related to the degree of melanocytic maturation. Cadherin expression, and particularly E-cadherin expression, tends to be greater in malignant melanomas than in naevi.
Cowley
G P
GP
Department of Histopathology, University College London Medical School, U.K.
Smith
M E
ME
D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
D015820:Cadherins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins