Proliferation, apoptosis, and survivin expression in a spectrum of melanocytic nevi.
BACKGROUND
Apoptosis is important for maintenance of tissue homeostasis and often dysregulated in cutaneous neoplasms. The apoptosis inhibitor survivin is expressed in melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers and benign keratinocytic lesions. Its expression has not been studied in melanocytic nevi.


OBJECTIVE
We determined the expression pattern of survivin in benign melanocytic nevi in comparison to markers of proliferation and apoptosis.


METHODS
Six cases of each of the following melanocytic nevi were retrieved from a dermatopathology archive: compound dysplastic nevus, intradermal nevus, compound nevus, neurotized intradermal nevus, and Spitz nevus. Survivin expression was evaluated by in situ hybridization. Apoptotic and proliferation indices were calculated by counting immunoreactive cells in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunostained sections, respectively.


RESULTS
All nevi, regardless of histologic type, expressed survivin. Compound melanocytic lesions expressed survivin in both epidermal and dermal compartments. The apoptotic rate was low for dysplastic, compound, and Spitz nevi, and apoptotic cells were not identified in any neurotized nevus. The proliferative index was highest for Spitz nevi, while all other nevi demonstrated rare positive cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Survivin is consistently expressed in benign melanocytic lesions, while apoptotic cells are rarely identified, suggesting the dysregulation of apoptotic pathways with the accumulation of cells in these neoplasms.
Florell
Scott R
SR
Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
Bowen
Anneli R
AR
Hanks
Adrianne N
AN
Murphy
Kelley J
KJ
Grossman
Douglas
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000077022:Survivin
C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000077022:Survivin