Oncogenic BRAF-positive dysplastic nevi and the tumor suppressor IGFBP7--challenging the concept of dysplastic nevi as precursor lesions?
Oncogenic BRAF as an early and fundamental feature of melanocytic neoplasia has been confirmed with its identification in both melanoma and nevi. Oncogenic BRAF has been shown to induce senescence/apoptosis by up-regulating the tumor suppressor IGFBP7, which acts through autocrine/paracrine pathways to inhibit BRAF-MEK-ERK signaling. Given the putative neoplastic potential of dysplastic nevi, our aim was to ascertain in dysplastic nevi from intermittently sun-exposed skin and of varying severity the frequency of oncogenic BRAF and NRAS and to assess expression of IGFBP7 in the same. BRAF and NRAS genotyping was performed on genomic DNA (isolated using laser capture microdissection) from dysplastic nevi ranging in severity from mild (12), to moderate (11), and to severe (11). Immunohistochemical staining for IGFBP7 was performed on all. Overall, 9 (26%) of 34 cases (2 severely atypical dysplastic nevi, 2 moderately atypical dysplastic nevi, and 5 mildly atypical dysplastic nevi) exhibited the BRAFV600E mutation (P = .22), with lack of IGFBP7 expression in 4 (44.4%) of 9 cases (1 severely atypical, 1 moderately atypical, and 2 mildly atypical); and 25 (73.5%) of 34 cases (9 severely atypical, 9 moderately atypical, and 7 mildly atypical) were BRAFWT, with enhanced IGFBP7 expression in 12 (48%) of 25 cases (6 severely atypical, 3 moderately atypical, and 3 mildly atypical). All cases were NRASWT. The disparate expression of IGFBP7 in BRAFV600E-positive dysplastic nevi (enhanced in 56% and diminished/absent in 44%) indicates that the behavior of oncogenic BRAF in dysplastic nevi, unlike that in malignant melanoma, does not appear to consistently induce senescence/apoptosis through pathways mediated by IGFBP7.
Decarlo
Kristen
K
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
Yang
Shi
S
Emley
Andrew
A
Wajapeyee
Narendra
N
Green
Michael
M
Mahalingam
Meera
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004416:Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; C104263:NPAS1 protein, human; C104264:NPAS2 protein, human; C102529:insulin-like growth factor binding protein-related protein 1; C482119:BRAF protein, human