Nestin expression in cutaneous melanomas and melanocytic nevi.
BACKGROUND
Nestin is one of the intermediate filaments that are expressed in proliferating neural progenitor cells during development of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system. Postnatal re-expression of the protein occurs mainly under pathological conditions, including injury and neoplasia. In this study, nestin expression was detected in both benign and malignant melanocytic skin lesions and its diagnostic relevance was then evaluated.


METHODS
Altogether 139 bioptic tissue samples consisting of 42 nodular melanomas, 32 superficial spreading melanomas, 12 metastatic melanomas, 10 dysplastic nevi and 43 common melanocytic intradermal and dermoepidermal nevi were analysed using indirect immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
We demonstrated that nestin immunostaining was significantly increased in melanomas where it correlated with more advanced stages of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that expression of the intermediate filament protein nestin might be an indicator of tumor dedifferentiation and more aggressive behaviour. Furthermore, we suggest that nestin might be a relevant marker of tumorous and non-tumorous angiogenesis.
Brychtova
Svetlana
S
Institute of Pathology & Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, 775 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic. svetlana.brychtova@seznam.cz
Fiuraskova
Michala
M
Hlobilková
Alice
A
Brychta
Tomas
T
Hirnak
Jaroslav
J
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D064231:Nestin; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; C577484:NES protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D064231:Nestin