Bcl-2-positive epidermal dendritic cells in inverted follicular keratoses but not squamous cell carcinomas or seborrheic keratoses.
OBJECTIVE
In our previous research, bcl-2-positive dendritic cells were seen in increased numbers in suprabasal areas of inverted follicular keratoses (IFKs) compared to seborrheic keratoses (SKs). The purpose of this study was twofold; firstly, to support that these dendritic cells are Langerhans cells and secondly, to contrast the epidermal dendritic cells in IFKs, squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), and SKs.


METHODS
Ten IFKs and five SKs previously showing bcl-2-positive dendritic cells within the epidermis were stained with CD1a. Fifteen other IFKs were stained with CD1a alone. Ten SCCs were stained with bcl-2 and CD1a.


RESULTS
In the 10 IFKs stained with both bcl-2 and CD1a, the density of CD1a-positive cells correlated well with the density of bcl-2-positive dendritic cells; in the five SKs, the density of CD1a-positive cells was similar to that seen in IFKs but was higher compared to the density of bcl-2-positive dendritic cells in SKs (p < 0.05). The IFKs had a significantly higher number of CD1a-positive cells compared to SCCs (p < 0.01). SCCs showed bcl-2-positive cells only within the basal layer of the normal epidermis flanking the carcinomas.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that there is different bcl-2 regulation of CD1a-positive cells in IFKs, SKs, and SCCs.
Ko
Christine J
CJ
Department of Dermatology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Kim
Jenny
J
Phan
Jenny
J
Binder
Scott W
SW
D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002452:Cell Count; D007644:Darier Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017492:Keratosis, Seborrheic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C419393:CD1a antigen; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2