title: Claudins 1, 3M, 3S, 4, 5 and 7 in vulvar neoplasms compared with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of claudins 1, 3M (membrane-bound), 3S (cytoplasmic), 4, 5 and 7 in vulvar epithelial neoplasia (VIN I-III) and to compare those with invasive vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. Paraffin tissue sections from 73 vulvar neoplasms (12 VIN I, 12 VIN II-III and 49 vulvar carcinomas) were studied by immunohistochemistry for the expression of claudins 1, 3M, 3S, 4, 5 and 7. Claudin 1 stained strongly in all groups, whereas claudin 3M, 3S and 4 immunostaining were moderate in all groups. Claudin 7 stained strongly in all groups. Claudin 3M expression was higher in VIN I compared to carcinoma, while no difference was found between VIN I and VIN II-III or between VIN II-III and carcinoma. Claudin 1 and claudin 3S expressions also showed the same decreasing tendency from VIN towards vulvar carcinoma. Claudin 5 showed only weak staining in VIN I and VIN II-III, and positive expression was also low in the carcinoma group. Expressions of claudins 1, 3M, 3S, 4 and 7 were found in VIN and vulvar carcinoma. Changes in claudin 1 and claudin 3 expression during progression from VIN to vulvar carcinoma suggests a connection with claudin expression and differentiation of vulvar squamous cells. Claudin 5 does not seem to be important in VIN or vulvar carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. milla.riski@fimnet.fi
authors.forename: Milla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santala
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Soini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talvensaari-Mattila
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D062445:Claudin-1; D062465:Claudin-3; D062506:Claudin-4; D062507:Claudin-5; D057167:Claudins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C568108:CLDN1 protein, human; C568122:CLDN3 protein, human; C568157:CLDN4 protein, human; C107466:CLDN5 protein, human; C473255:CLDN7 protein, human; D062445:Claudin-1; D062465:Claudin-3; D062506:Claudin-4; D062507:Claudin-5; D057167:Claudins; D008565:Membrane Proteins