Patterns of p21(waf1/cip1) expression in non-papillomatous nasal mucosa, endophytic sinonasal papillomas, and associated carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify p21(waf1/cip1) expression in sinonasal lesions.


METHODS
Archived surgical specimens from 38 patients were investigated by means of immunohistochemistry. p21(waf1/cip1) staining was evaluated in the different layers of the epithelium. In addition, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and p53 protein overexpression were assessed and correlated with p21(waf1/cip1) expression.


RESULTS
p21(waf1/cip1) staining was negative in non-papillomatous nasal mucosa. HPV infection and p53 protein overexpression were not seen. Sixteen of 20 inverted papillomas showed p21(waf1/cip1) expression. HPV infection was found in 16 cases and p53 protein overexpression was present in 13 specimens. Expression of p21(waf1/cip1) was restricted to surface cells in five cases, but involved basal/parabasal cells in 11 specimens. Immunoreactivity for p21(waf1/cip1) in basal/parabasal cells colocalised with p53 protein overexpression. Enhanced expression rates for p21(waf1/cip1) were seen in transitional and squamous epithelium compared with columnar epithelium. p21(waf1/cip1) expression involved only surface cells in cylindrical cell papillomas. HPV infection and p53 protein overexpression were detected in all specimens. One of five squamous cell carcinomas showed p21(waf1/cip1) expression. HPV infection was seen in two cases, and all carcinomas showed p53 protein overexpression.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of p21(waf1/cip1) is associated with terminal differentiation in surface cells in inverted papillomas and cylindrical cell papillomas, but not in non-papillomatous nasal mucosa. Overexpression of p53 protein colocalises with p21(waf1/cip1) expression in basal/parabasal cells in inverted papillomas but not in cylindrical cell papillomas. Expression of p21(waf1/cip1) in squamous cell carcinomas involves a subset of tumours with p53 protein overexpression.
Schwerer
M J
MJ
Department of Pathology, Military Hospital Ulm, D-89081 Ulm/Donau, Germany.
Sailer
A
A
Kraft
K
K
Baczako
K
K
Maier
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000821:virology; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D016213:Cyclins / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D010212:Papilloma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D016213:Cyclins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53