Telomerase expression in sebaceous lesions of the skin.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have demonstrated telomerase expression in ophthalmologic sebaceous carcinoma and have suggested possible diagnostic utility in distinguishing these neoplasms from sebaceous adenomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate telomerase expression via human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) immunohistochemical staining in a spectrum of sebaceous lesions of the skin.


METHODS
Paraffin-embedded sections from sebaceous hyperplasia (11), nevus sebaceus (22), sebaceous adenoma (19), sebaceoma (11), and sebaceous carcinoma (14) were evaluated for intensity (0 to 3+) and pattern of anti-hTERT staining.


RESULTS
Strong (2 to 3+) hTERT staining was observed in nucleoli of germinative cells and immature sebocytes in all sebaceous lesions, whereas mature sebocytes were negative. The distribution pattern paralleled features seen by routine haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections.


CONCLUSIONS
All hyperplastic and neoplastic sebaceous skin lesions expressed hTERT in this immunohistochemical study. The pattern of staining was predictive of the histologic pattern of the process but does not significantly add to our diagnostic armamentarium of sebaceous lesions.
Olsen
Stephen H
SH
Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0602, USA.
Su
Lyndon D
LD
Thomas
Dafydd
D
Fullen
Douglas R
DR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D012625:Sebaceous Gland Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019098:Telomerase