CD44 expression in normal adrenal tissue and adrenal tumours.
BACKGROUND
CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein found on many normal cells, mainly lymphoid and epithelial. Normal cells usually express standard CD44 (CD44-S), whereas malignant tumours may express CD44 variant isoforms (CD44-V). CD44 expression has been described for neural crest derivatives. Characterisation of differences in CD44 expression may help in the diagnosis and differentiation of distinct adrenal tumours.


OBJECTIVE
To examine CD44 expression in different layers of cortical cortex, in adrenal medulla, and in adrenal tumours.


METHODS
CD44-S and CD44-V6 expression were studied in 12 cases of adrenal cortical adenoma, 3 of adrenal cortical carcinoma, 10 of pheochromocytoma, and 4 normal adrenal glands.


RESULTS
CD44-V6 staining showed cytoplasmic expression in normal adrenal cortex and in cortical adenomas and carcinomas. Pheochromocytomas also showed CD44-V6 expression but in 5 of the 10 cases it was sparse, focal, and sometimes perinuclear. Strong membranous staining for CD44-S was observed in normal adrenal medulla. Analysis of CD44-S expression revealed differences between cortical adrenal tumours and pheochromocytomas. Ten of 12 cortical adenomas and 2 of 3 cortical carcinoma cells showed weak to moderate cytoplasmic staining, but all cases of pheochromocytoma had strong membranous staining.


CONCLUSIONS
Membranous CD44-S staining may help to distinguish pheochromocytoma from adrenal cortical adenoma.
Barshack
I
I
Department of Pathology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Goldberg
I
I
Nass
D
D
Olchovsky
D
D
Kopolovic
J
J
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000378:metabolism; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism; D018268:Adrenocortical Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins