E-cadherin/catenin complex in benign and malignant melanocytic lesions.
E-cadherin is a calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule expressed by melanocytes and responsible for their adhesion to keratinocytes in vitro. In this study, the expression of E-cadherin and its associated cytoplasmic proteins alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin was evaluated in melanocytic lesions by immunohistochemistry. E-cadherin expression was evaluated in 70 malignant melanomas and the catenins in 35 of these specimens. Twenty benign melanocytic naevi were also evaluated for E-cadherin and catenin expression. In normal epidermis, E-cadherin/catenin immunostaining was localized at the intercellular borders. In melanomas, a differential loss of E-cadherin expression was observed. Membranous E-cadherin staining was absent in dermal nests of melanomas in their radial growth phase and in Clark level II and III lesions, whereas it was present in a high proportion of melanomas in their vertical growth phase, in Clark level IV and V lesions and in metastasizing melanomas. In contrast, superficial compartments of naevi showed membranous E-cadherin immunoreactivity and junctional naevus cell nests displayed heterogeneous or diffuse cytoplasmic staining. Cytoplasmic alpha- and beta-catenin, but not gamma-catenin staining were detected in all benign and malignant lesions. These findings indicate that qualitative changes in the expression and cellular localization of E-cadherin and of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin occur in melanocytic lesions and may reflect different stages in their progression.
Silye
R
R
Department of Histopathology, Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine, London, U.K.
Karayiannakis
A J
AJ
Syrigos
K N
KN
Poole
S
S
van Noorden
S
S
Batchelor
W
W
Regele
H
H
Sega
W
W
Boesmueller
H
H
Krausz
T
T
Pignatelli
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins