Expression of proliferation markers and cell cycle regulators in T cell lymphoproliferative skin disorders.
BACKGROUND
Abnormal cell proliferation, which results from deregulation of the cell cycle, is fundamental in tumorigenesis.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of proliferation markers and cell cycle regulators in a range of T cell lymphoproliferative skin diseases.


METHODS
We studied skin specimens of 51 patients with parapsoriasis (PP), mycosis fungiodes (MF), or lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP). Immunohistochemistry was performed for Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), minichromosome maintenance protein 7 (MCM7), and p21.


RESULTS
MF with stage IIB-IV and LyP showed a significantly greater number of Ki-67-positive cells than PP (P=0.02 and 0.001) and MF I-IIA (P=0.019 and 0.003), respectively. MCM7 staining revealed significantly higher labeling indices for MF IIB-IV and LyP when compared to PP (P=0.002 and 0.04) and MF I-IIA (P=0.0005 and 0.01), respectively. Compared to PP and MF I-IIA, MF IIB-IV was associated with significantly higher labeling indices for PCNA (P=0.006 and 0.0004). p21 staining was significantly increased in MF IIB-IV and LyP when compared to PP (P=0.006 and 0.003) and MF I-IIA (P=0.003). However, p21 staining was all in all very weak.


CONCLUSIONS
Ki-67 and PCNA seem to be useful immunohistological parameters for the correlation with the clinical stage of MF. In the differentiation and prognostication of T cell lymphoproliferative skin disorders, MCM7 may serve as a novel biomarker which is, in contrast to Ki-67 and PCNA, stable throughout the cell cycle.
Gambichler
Thilo
T
Department of Dermatology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Gudrunstrasse 56, 44791, Bochum, Germany. t.gambichler@klinikum-bochum.de
Bischoff
Stefan
S
Bechara
Falk G
FG
Altmeyer
Peter
P
Kreuter
Alexander
A
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / Q000032:analysis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D017731:Lymphomatoid Papulosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D064168:Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 7; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D010267:Parapsoriasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism