The expression of syndecan-1 is preferentially reduced compared with that of E-cadherin in acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Syndecan-1 and E-cadherin are cell adhesion molecules which are expressed primarily on the surface of adult epithelial cells. They appear to be co-regulated and may act in concert to stabilize the epithelium. Loss of expression of both E-cadherin and syndecan-1 is seen in malignant transformation and invasion.


METHODS
Thirteen cutaneous biopsies of acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were examined for coexpression of E-cadherin and syndecan-1.


RESULTS
Interestingly, immunoreactivity for E-cadherin was increased in the in situ component while immunoreactivity for syndecan-1 was similar to that seen in normal skin. Conversely, in invasive SCC the expression of these two adhesion molecules was very similar. Both diminished with decreasing cell differentiation, as well as in the acantholytic areas where both molecules exhibited increasing cytosolic staining rather than cell membrane staining.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that it is likely E-cadherin and syndecan-1 act in concert to stabilize the epithelium and that the loss or decreased expression of both of these adhesion molecules is associated with malignant transformation.
Bayer-Garner
I B
IB
Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
Smoller
B R
BR
D000051:Acantholysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans
D015820:Cadherins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011509:Proteoglycans; C508241:SDC1 protein, human; D053668:Syndecan-1; D053667:Syndecans