Comparative analysis of the expression of cytokeratins (1, 10, 14, 16, 4), involucrin, filaggrin and e-cadherin in plane warts and epidermodysplasia verruciformis plane wart-type lesions.
BACKGROUND
Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare genodermatosis with susceptibility to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and high risk of skin cancer considered a model of viral oncogenesis.


METHODS
Fifteen cases of EV plane wart (PW)-type lesions (EV) and 14 cases of PW in healthy individuals were subjected to immunohistochemical technique for cytokeratins (K) 1, 10, 14, 16, 4, involucrin, filaggrin and e-cadherin.


RESULTS
K1/10 showed retarded or negative expression in EV, being substituted by K14. Expression of K14 occurred in the basal and suprabasal layers in both groups, but in EV, its expression was observed up to the more superficial layers. Both groups showed positivity for K16 and K4, involucrin expression in lower levels of the spinous layer and unaltered filaggrin expression. E-cadherin expression was diminished at the koilocytotic foci of both lesions, more superficially in EV.


CONCLUSIONS
Infection by HPV may alter the differentiation status of the epidermis, leading to a major expression of K14, delayed or absent expression of K1/10 and earlier involucrin expression, especially in EV. It also stimulates the expression of K16 and K4. Filaggrin expression is not altered, and e-cadherin is diminished in superficial koilocytotic cells' foci in EV.
Barcelos
Andrezza C N
AC
Department of Dermatology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Sotto
Mirian N
MN
D000328:Adult; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004819:Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007633:Keratins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
D015820:Cadherins; C000717249:FLG protein, human; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; C032253:involucrin; D007633:Keratins