Differential expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 in melanocytic skin lesions.
Neoplastic melanocytes may exhibit certain differentiation characteristics of other neural-crest derivatives. We aimed to study the expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) in different types of melanocytic skin lesions. Paraffin-embedded sections of 42 benign nevi (BN), 22 dysplastic nevi (DN), 45 superficial spreading melanomas (SSMs), and 15 subcutaneous melanoma metastases were immunohistologically assessed using the monoclonal mouse MAP-2ab antibody (Zytomed, Berlin, Germany). The percentage MAP-2 expression of DN and SSMs was significantly increased compared with BN. Moreover, subcutaneous melanoma metastases showed significantly decreased MAP-2 expression compared with DN and SSMs. In SSMs, MAP-2 expression significantly correlated with the Breslow vertical tumor thickness, Clark level, and stage of disease. We observed that MAP-2 is differentially expressed during the development and progression of benign and malignant melanocytic skin lesions. In contrast with the findings of previous studies, our data indicate that MAP-2 is a moderately positive predictor of the progression of SSMs.
Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Gudrunstrasse 56, D-44791 Bochum, Germany.
Thilo
T
Gambichler
Sebastian
S
Rotterdam
Katharina
K
Radkowski
Peter
P
Altmeyer
Alexander
A
Kreuter
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D004416:Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C489788:MAP2 protein, human; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins