Desmoglein in multiple self-healing squamous epithelioma of Ferguson-Smith--comparison of staining patterns with actinic keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
BACKGROUND
Multiple self-healing squamous cell epithelioma of the skin (MSSE) is the most common variant of multiple keratoacanthoma. Although the morphology of the lesions in MSSE is similar to classical actinic keratoacanthoma (KA), several distinctive features in clinical presentation and histology have been emphasized. Desmosomes have been shown to be downregulated in certain types of carcinoma. Desmogleins (Dsg) are transmembrane desmosomal glycoproteins that exist as three isoforms. Dsg markers have been found to be reduced or absent in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) but preserved in KA.


OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine the pattern of Dsg staining in MSSE.


METHODS
Eight tumors from two female patients with MSSE were stained with the antidesmoglein monoclonal antibody 32-2B, which recognizes Dsgl and Dsg3.


RESULTS
All eight tumors showed uniform pericellular Dsg staining throughout the nonkeratinized layers of the neoplastic epithelium. This pattern is entirely similar to that observed in actinic KA, normal epidermis or follicular epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the differences, uniform preservation of Dsg seems to be the invariable feature of both MSSE and KA. Further studies are necessary to evaluate this antibody in routine dermatopathology of MSSE and SCC.
Division of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
A L
AL
Krunic
D R
DR
Garrod
J A
JA
Hunter
R E
RE
Clark
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D051182:Desmogleins; D051180:Desmoplakins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007636:Keratoacanthoma / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D051182:Desmogleins; D051180:Desmoplakins