title: Abnormal expression of epiligrin and alpha 6 beta 4 integrin in basal cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Basal cell carcinoma is characterized by local invasion, and only rarely metastasizes. The role of the containing basement membrane (BM) in this tumor is unclear. Several BM components have been shown to be absent or significantly reduced in BM surrounding infiltrating tumor.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to examine the expression of epiligrin, a BM-associated glycoprotein, and the integrin chains alpha 3, alpha 6, beta 1, and beta 4 in the basement membranes surrounding basal cell carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples were obtained from 20 patients with basal cell carcinomas and subjected to a standard avidin biotin complex/alkaline phosphatase immunohistochemical technique using a panel of antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a consistent abnormality of expression of epiligrin, alpha 6, and beta 4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We propose that reduced expression of epiligrin is involved in the pathogenesis of the local invasion by tumor and that an altered integrin ratio in basal cell carcinoma enhances tumor spread.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic, Minneapolis, USA.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schofield
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kist
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wayner
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zachary
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D039161:Integrin alpha6beta4; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000097794:Kalinin
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D039161:Integrin alpha6beta4; D016023:Integrins; D000097794:Kalinin