title: Langerhans cells in cutaneous tumours: immunohistochemistry study using a computer image analysis system.
abstract: Immunohistochemistry, based on antibody anti-S100 protein, was used to evaluate the Langerhans cells (LC) in benign and malign skin neoplasias. These cells were quantitatively estimated using a computer image analysis (OPTIMAS software system, Version 6.1) in skin biopsies diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), epidermoid carcinoma (EpC), trichoepithelioma (TE), keratoacanthoma (KA), seborreic keratosis (SK) and actinic keratosis (AK). The antibody anti-S100 protein recognized them. No significant variations were observed in the number of LC among malignant tumour (BCC = 23.25 +/- 5.81 and EpC = 20.88 +/- 4.24). Benign lesions (AK = 33.04 +/- 7.11; TE = 55.74 +/- 9.35; SK = 42.38 +/- 9.92, and KA = 47.62 +/- 10.4) presented a higher number of LC when they were compared among them and to malignant and normal tissues. No significant differences were observed in LC area and volume between benign and malign neoplasias. These results indicate possibly differences in the immunogenicity between benign and malign epidermic tumours. In conclusion, the experimental computer assessment method was reliable and consistent to morphometric analysis of tumoural tissues.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Av. Morais Rêgo s/n, Campus Universitário, 50670-910 Recife, PE, Brazil. mariormj@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mario Ribeiro
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: De Melo
authors.forename: Jorge Luiz
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Araújo Filho
authors.forename: Vasco José Ramos
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Patu
authors.forename: Marcos Cezar Feitosa
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Luciano Albuquerque
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mello
authors.forename: Luiz B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*