E-cadherin/catenin complex in benign and malignant melanocytic lesions

✍ Scribed by Silye, R.; Karayiannakis, A. J.; Syrigos, K. N.; Poole, S.; Van Noorden, S.; Batchelor, W.; Regele, H.; Sega, W.; Boesmueller, H.; Krausz, T.; Pignatelli, M.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 286 KB
• Volume: 186
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-3417
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9896(199812)186:4<350::aid-path181>3.0.co;2-k

✦ Synopsis

E-cadherin is a calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule expressed by melanocytes and responsible for their adhesion to keratinocytes in vitro.

In this study, the expression of E-cadherin and its associated cytoplasmic proteins -, -, and -catenin was evaluated in melanocytic lesions by immunohistochemistry. E-cadherin expression was evaluated in 70 malignant melanomas and the catenins in 35 of these specimens. Twenty benign melanocytic naevi were also evaluated for E-cadherin and catenin expression. In normal epidermis, E-cadherin/catenin immunostaining was localized at the intercellular borders. In melanomas, a differential loss of E-cadherin expression was observed. Membranous E-cadherin staining was absent in dermal nests of melanomas in their radial growth phase and in Clark level II and III lesions, whereas it was present in a high proportion of melanomas in their vertical growth phase, in Clark level IV and V lesions and in metastasizing melanomas. In contrast, superficial compartments of naevi showed membranous E-cadherin immunoreactivity and junctional naevus cell nests displayed heterogeneous or diffuse cytoplasmic staining. Cytoplasmic -and -catenin, but not -catenin staining were detected in all benign and malignant lesions. These findings indicate that qualitative changes in the expression and cellular localization of E-cadherin and of -, -, and -catenin occur in melanocytic lesions and may reflect different stages in their progression. 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.