An immunohistochemical study of laminin in basal cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Laminins are components of the extracellular matrix that mediate cell adhesion, growth, migration, proliferation and differentiation. Basement membrane (BM) laminins, in particular, may play a role in enhancing carcinoma cell motility.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the distribution pattern of laminin in basal cell carcinoma (BCC), as regards the basement membrane, cellular cytoplasm, peritumoral lacunae and surface epithelium and to correlate laminin distribution with different variants of BCC.


METHODS
Skin biopsy specimens were obtained from 21 BCC patients for routine histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Laminin was evaluated qualitatively and semiquantitatively using monoclonal mouse antihuman antibody (Dako-Laminin, 4C7. Code No: MO638, which reacts with the terminal globular domain of the α5 chain)


RESULTS
The majority of BCC cases showed patchy cytoplasmic distribution of laminin. The BM expression of laminin, in most cases, was well defined, fine and linear with irregular areas of thickening. Staining intensity was moderate in differentiated and mixed variants, weak in superficial spreading and absent in morpheic types.


CONCLUSIONS
Cytoplasmic and basement membrane laminin is important in the pathogenesis and invasion of BCC. Most laminin was in basement membrane zone (BMZ), and the more differentiated the tumor, the more cytoplasmic and BM staining it expressed.
Mostafa
Wedad Z
WZ
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
Mahfouz
Soheir M
SM
Bosseila
Manal
M
Sobhi
Rehab M
RM
El-Nabarawy
Eman
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015595:Skin Aging; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007797:Laminin