Expression of class II beta-tubulin in non-melanoma cutaneous tumors.
BACKGROUND
Different combinations of beta-tubulin isotypes contribute to the diverse functions of microtubules (MTs). Class II beta-tubulin (class II tubulin) is up-regulated in differentiated keratinocytes. In contrast, the expression of class II tubulin in follicular differentiation and cutaneous tumors has not been studied.


METHODS
The immunohistochemical expression of class II tubulin was investigated in 117 cutaneous tumors: 30 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), seven keratoacanthomas (KAs), 57 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), 23 trichoepitheliomas (TEs), and in the adjacent non-neoplastic skin.


RESULTS
Class II tubulin was expressed in the keratinocytes of the granular layer, melanocytes, hair cortical and cuticular cells, inner root sheath (IRS), companion layer (CL) of the outer root sheath (ORS), and mesenchymal cells with Schwannian or myogenic differentiation. Moreover, class II tubulin expression was increased in the areas of squamous or follicular differentiation in cutaneous tumors. On grading the follicular differentiation or myofibroblastic response with anti-class II tubulin, TE showed follicular differentiation more frequently (p < 0.001) with less of a myofibroblastic response (p = 0.001) than BCC.


CONCLUSIONS
Class II tubulin expression is closely related to squamous or follicular differentiation and may be helpful in distinguishing most SCCs from KAs and BCC from TE. However, it does not reliably distinguish well-differentiated, crateriform SCC from KA.
Roh
Joo-Young
JY
Department of Dermatology, Gachon Medical School, Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
Kee
Sun-Ho
SH
Choi
Jung-Woo
JW
Lee
Ji-Hye
JH
Lee
Ju-Han
JH
Lee
Eung Seok
ES
Kim
Young-Sik
YS
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018280:Carcinoma, Skin Appendage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007636:Keratoacanthoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D014404:Tubulin