BACKGROUND: Desmosomal proteins are well established markers of epithelial differentiation. Down-regulation of desmosomal proteins has been suggested to be a sign of reduced adhesiveness in metastasizing cells. METHODS: We examined actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin for the expression of desmosomal proteins using isoform-specific antibodies on paraffin-embedded sections. Evaluation was performed qualitatively in comparison to the epidermis and semiquantitatively using an area-intensity-score. RESULTS: We found no qualitative correlation of desmoplakin or plakoglobin expression with risk of metastasis. Plakophilin 1, desmoglein 1, and the desmocollins 1-3 were found to be heterogeneously expressed in all neoplasms without significant correlation to aggressive tumor behavior. Plakophilin 2 was not expressed in any of the neoplasms examined. As most striking finding, desmoglein 2 was up-regulated qualitatively in half of all neoplasms examined and showed a significant higher proportion of positive cells in high-risk SCC than in low-risk SCC. CONCLUSIONS: Desmosomal proteins are highly regulated in cutaneous SCC. Only desmoglein 2 expression correlates with risk of metastasis. Desmosomes may still be functional in metastasizing tumor cells.
BACKGROUND: Desmosomal proteins are well established markers of epithelial differentiation. Down-regulation of desmosomal proteins has been suggested to be a sign of reduced adhesiveness in metastasizing cells. METHODS: We examined actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin for the expression of desmosomal proteins using isoform-specific antibodies on paraffin-embedded sections. Evaluation was performed qualitatively in comparison to the epidermis and semiquantitatively using an area-intensity-score. RESULTS: We found no qualitative correlation of desmoplakin or plakoglobin expression with risk of metastasis. Plakophilin 1, desmoglein 1, and the desmocollins 1-3 were found to be heterogeneously expressed in all neoplasms without significant correlation to aggressive tumor behavior. Plakophilin 2 was not expressed in any of the neoplasms examined. As most striking finding, desmoglein 2 was up-regulated qualitatively in half of all neoplasms examined and showed a significant higher proportion of positive cells in high-risk SCC than in low-risk SCC. CONCLUSIONS: Desmosomal proteins are highly regulated in cutaneous SCC. Only desmoglein 2 expression correlates with risk of metastasis. Desmosomes may still be functional in metastasizing tumor cells.
Authors: Ines Beyer; Hua Cao; Jonas Persson; Hui Song; Maximilian Richter; Qinghua Feng; Roma Yumul; Ruan van Rensburg; Zongyi Li; Ronald Berenson; Darrick Carter; Steve Roffler; Charles Drescher; André Lieber Journal: Clin Cancer Res Date: 2012-04-24 Impact factor: 12.531
Authors: Dominik Riss; Johannes Pammer; Matthaeus C Grasl; Alexandra Kaider; Sven Schneider; Boban M Erovic Journal: Wien Klin Wochenschr Date: 2014-10-10 Impact factor: 1.704
Authors: Andrew M Overmiller; Jennifer A Pierluissi; Peter J Wermuth; Sami Sauma; Ubaldo Martinez-Outschoorn; Madalina Tuluc; Adam Luginbuhl; Joseph Curry; Larry A Harshyne; James K Wahl; Andrew P South; Mỹ G Mahoney Journal: FASEB J Date: 2017-04-24 Impact factor: 5.191
Authors: Veronica G Beaudry; Dadi Jiang; Rachel L Dusek; Eunice J Park; Stevan Knezevich; Katie Ridd; Hannes Vogel; Boris C Bastian; Laura D Attardi Journal: PLoS Genet Date: 2010-10-21 Impact factor: 5.917