Overexpression of phosphorylated-STAT3 correlated with the invasion and metastasis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

In order to evaluate the possible effects of STAT3 phosphorylation and expression of E-cadherin on metastasis of some human epidermal non-melanoma cutaneous tumors, the expression of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) and E-cadherin were analyzed by immunohistochemistry staining in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and seborrhoeic keratosis (SK). An immunohistochemistry staining technique was employed to measure the expression of p-STAT3 and E-cadherin protein in 30 cases of cutaneous SCC, 20 cases of BCC, 20 cases of SK, and 20 specimens of normal skin. The results were as follows: 1) p-STAT3 protein was abnormally increased in SCC as compared to normal skin and SK (p<0.001). Expression of p-STAT3 in SCC was also significantly higher than in BCC (p<0.05). 2) Expression of p-STAT3 was higher in poorly-differentiated SCC than in well-differentiated ones (p<0.05). The positive rate of the expression of p-STAT3 correlated well with the depth of tumor invasion and with metastasis (p<0.05), but there was no correlation between the positive rate and tumor size. 3) E-cadherin was strongly expressed on the cell membranes of normal skin and SK, especially on basal cells. E-cadherin was weakly expressed on cell membranes of SCC and BCC (p<0.001), whereas its expression was significantly lower in SCC than in BCC (p<0.05). In SCC, the intensity of E-cadherin expression was correlated with the extent of tumor differentiation, but there was no correlation between the expression intensity and the depth of tumor invasion or tumor size. 4) There was a negative correlation between the expression intensity of p-STAT3 and E-cadherin in SCC (rs=-0.372, p<0.05). We concluded that the overexpression of p-STAT3 may have an important role in the development of epidermal tumors. Abnormal activation of STAT3 may be related to metastasis potential in SCC and the simultaneous detection of p-STAT3 and E-cadherin may contribute to predicating the prognosis in SCC.     

Expression of E-Cadherin in Skin Carcinomas

In this study, we investigated the expression of E-cadherin in 31 cases of human skin carcinoma including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), Paget's disease, Bowen's disease (invasive type), and trichilemmal carcinoma, by immunohistochemical staining using a monoclonal antibody specific for E-cadherin. Similar to the E-cadherin expression in normal epidermis, E-cadherin was strongly expressed in all samples of BCC on the cell borders, whereas marked decrease or loss of E-cadherin expression was found in the tumor cells of SCC, Paget's disease, and Bowen's disease (invasive type). On the other hand, E-cadherin expression of trichilemmal carcinoma was slightly reduced. Considering the clinical and histological features of these skin carcinoma, the reduction of E-cadherin expression is considered to be associated with the invasion and metastasis of human skin carcinoma.     

Expression of bcl-2, p53 and Ki-67 in arsenical skin cancers

To investigate the regulation of apoptosis and proliferation in arsenic-induced skin cancers, we examined the expression of bcl-2. p53, and Ki-67 using immunohistochemical staining. Thirty patients with Bowen's disease (BD), ten with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), eight with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and eleven of perilesional normal skin (PLN) of the non-sun exposure sites from endemic area were examined. The results showed that: 1) bcl-2 was expressed in all of the BCC homogeneously, in none of the SCC, and in 12/30 of the BD focally or homogeneously; 2) p53 was expressed in all of the arsenical skin cancers with a labelling index of 75±14% of BD, 50±17% of BCC. 61±15% of SCC, and also in all of the perilesional normal skin with a labelling index of 55±24%; 3) Ki-67 was expressed in all of the skin cancers with labelling index of 58±17% of BD. 12±7% of BCC, 47±21% of SCC, and in 9/11 of PLN with a labelling index of 41±24%. Expression of bcl-2 in BCC or BD is related to the phenotype of germinative basal cell. The constant expression of bcl-2 i early dysplastic cells of BD and the earliest expression of P53 in the basal cells of perilesional normal skin indicate that the initial step of arsenic-induced carcinogenesis is from the basal germinative cells. There is no mutual relationship between bcl-2, p53 or Ki-67 expression in any type of the arsenical skin cancers, but there is a positive correlation between p53 and Ki-67 expression identified in perilesional normal skin. BD had the highest labelling index of p53 and Ki-67.     

Aberrant expression of Fas and FasL pro‐apoptotic proteins in basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas

Background. Fas and FasL are cell‐surface receptors involved in apoptosis. Aim. To investigate Fas and FasL expression levels in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to gain an insight into the mechanisms of Fas/FasL apoptosis and immune evasion in epidermal tumours. Methods. Real‐time PCR and streptavidin–biotin immunohistochemistry techniques were used to detect Fas and FasL expression in BCC, SCC and normal skin specimens. Results. Fas and FasL mRNA expression and immunostaining levels were lower in the 21 BCC specimens than in normal skin, whereas they were higher in the 15 SCC specimens than in normal skin. Conclusion. FasL immunostaining correlated with the capability of the tumour to invade and metastasize; the absent or weak immunostaining in the BCC specimens correlated with low capability, and the strong staining in the SCC specimens correlated with high capability.     

埃兹蛋白在皮肤鳞癌、基底细胞癌中的表达及相关研究

目的 探讨埃兹（Ezrin）蛋白在皮肤基底细胞癌（BCC）和鳞状细胞癌（SCC）中的表达及在肿瘤侵袭转移过程中的作用.方法 采用免疫组化SP法检测Ezrin蛋白在皮肤BCC（30例）、SCC（32例）及正常皮肤对照组（10例）中的表达情况.结果 Ezrin蛋白在BCC、SCC及正常皮肤对照组中阳性表达率分别为60.0％、84.4％和10％.Ezrin蛋白在各组之间表达差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.Ezrin蛋白阳性表达与SCC的分化程度和淋巴结转移密切相关,各组间表达差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论 Ezrin蛋白的检测可能成为预测皮肤恶性肿瘤转移和预后的一项指标.     

Expression of minichromosome maintenance 5 protein in proliferative and malignant skin diseases

BACKGROUND: The entire minichromosome maintenance (MCM) family (MCM2-7) play roles in the initiation and elongation of DNA replication. Many studies have demonstrated that MCM proteins may be better indicators of a wide variety of proliferative or cancer cells in malignant tissues. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the pattern and frequency of MCM5 expression in proliferative and malignant skin diseases in comparison with those of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). METHODS: Twelve normal skin specimens, 12 specimens of psoriasis, 21 specimens of bowenoid papulosis (BP), 16 specimens of Bowen's disease (BD), 38 specimens of skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 11 specimens of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for MCM5 and PCNA. Results MCM5 protein was expressed in the lower layers of epidermis in psoriasis, while MCM5 protein were present throughout the tumor cells in BP, BD, and moderately/poorly differentiated SCC. MCM5 protein was preferentially expressed in the periphery of well-differentiated SCC or bigger nests of BCC, although some small nests of BCC seemingly showed diffuse staining patterns. The percentages of MCM5-positive cells were 15.7% in normal skin, 21.8% in psoriasis, 75.9% in BP, 83.8% in BD, 63.5% in well-differentiated SCC, 77.5% in moderately differentiated SCC, 79.8% in poorly differentiated SCC, and 21.2% in BCC in average. Well-differentiated SCC showed a significantly lower percentage of positive cells than did moderately differentiated SCC or poorly differentiated SCC. MCM5 staining basically show a similar staining pattern to that of PCNA, but more cells tended to be stained with MCM5 than with PCNA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate pattern and frequency of MCM5 expression in various skin diseases and suggest that MCM5 may be a useful marker to detect cell proliferation in skin tissue sections.     

Significance of PC cell-derived growth factor and cyclin D1 expression in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Background. PC cell‐derived growth factor (PCDGF) is an autocrine growth factor originally purified from the highly tumorigenic teratoma PC cell line. It participates in tumorigenesis and tumour progression through upregulation of cyclin D1. To date, there has been no report on the role of PCDGF in skin cancer, to our knowledge. Aim. To investigate the expression of PCDGF and cyclin D1 in basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and seborrhoeic keratosis (SK), and their relationship with the clinicopathological parameters of SCC. Methods. Immunohistochemical expression of PCDGF and cyclin D1 was examined in 42 SCC, 30 BCC and 20 SK tissues. Results. PCDGF and cyclin D1 were overexpressed in SCC or BCC tissues compared with normal skin or SK, and their expressions were significantly higher in SCC than in BCC. Moreover, positive expression of PCDGF and cyclin D1 was significantly correlated with depth of invasion and metastasis of SCC. There was significant correlation between PCDGF and cyclin D1 expression in SCC. Conclusions. Expression of PCDGF and cyclin D1 plays an important role in the tumorigenesis of BCC and SCC. Abnormal expression of PCDGF and Cyclin D1 may be related to invasion and metastasis of SCC.     

组织蛋白酶D在皮肤鳞状细胞癌、基底细胞癌和脂溢性角化病的组织表达及其意义

目的：观察组织蛋白酶D（cathepsinD，CD）在皮肤鳞状细胞癌（SCC）、基底细胞癌（BCC）、脂溢性角化病（SK）的组织表达，分析其表达差异及其意义。方法：用免疫组化SP染色法检测CD在15例SCC、15例BCC、14例SK及10例正常对照皮肤组织中的表达。结果：CD在正常皮肤组织表达为阴性．在SK、BCC、SCC瘤组织中表达依次升高，在SCC、SK之间表达有显著性差异（P〈0．05）；CD在SK、BCC、SCC间质细胞表达阳性率分别为85．7％、66，7％、33．3％。结论：CD的表达水平可能与SCC侵袭和转移有关。     

CXCR7在常见皮肤恶性肿瘤及其细胞株中的表达及意义

目的 探讨趋化因子受体CXCR7在皮肤鳞状细胞癌、基底细胞癌、侵袭性皮肤黑素瘤及其细胞株中的表达及其意义。方法 收集30例皮肤鳞状细胞癌、25例基底细胞癌、30例皮肤黑素瘤的癌组织,采用免疫组织化学方法,检测CXCR7蛋白表达水平。采用RT-PCR、细胞免疫组化方法检测CXCR7在A375、M14、A431、HaCaT细胞株中mRNA及蛋白水平。结果 CXCR7在侵袭性皮肤黑素瘤中表达明显,高表达率为80%（24/30）,皮肤鳞状细胞癌及基底细胞癌分别为26.67%（8/30）、8%（2/25）;皮肤黑素瘤CXCR7高表达率与鳞状细胞癌、基底细胞癌比较,差异均有统计学意义（χ2值分别为17.16和28.36,P值均 < 0.05）。CXCR7 mRNA在A375、M14、A431细胞株中均可检出,其中A375表达最强,而HaCaT细胞不表达;细胞免疫组化显示,仅在A375细胞见棕黄色颗粒着色。结论 皮肤黑素瘤及其细胞株A375高表达CXCR7,其可能参与了其恶性侵袭与转移。     

Greater expression of TC21/R-ras2 in highly aggressive malignant skin cancer

Background TC21 plays an important role in highly aggressive tumor formation, and it was overexpressed in several human cancers, including breast cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and esophageal SCC. In light of this, we explored the expression of TC21 in overall skin cancers in order to evaluate the relationship between TC21 and malignant skin tumors. Methods We examined six normal skin tissues and 18 malignant skin tumor tissues, including six malignant melanomas (MM), six SCCs, and six basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) using western blotting for the expression of TC21. In another set, 16 specimens of MM, 16 SCC, and 16 BCC were analyzed for the expression of TC21 using immunohistochemical staining. To evaluate the amount of expression of TC21, the Raytest TINA software was used for western blotting and a histochemical score (HSCORE) was used for immunohistochemical evaluation. Results The western blotting and immunohistochemistry showed that TC21 was expressed in all malignant skin tumors and not in normal skin tissues. The relative protein expression was an average of 0.004 in normal skin, 1.042 in MM, 0.621 in SCC, and 0.485 in BCC. In immunohistochemistry, HSCORE for normal skin was an average of 0.05, MM was 2.42, SCC was 2.11, and BCC was 1.22. Conclusions This article is the first study demonstrating expression of TC21 in human skin malignant tumors and suggests that TC21 is more expressed in highly aggressive skin tumors.     

环氧化酶-2在表皮肿瘤中的表达

目的 探讨环氧化酶-2在不同表皮肿瘤中的表达及意义。方法 选择鳞状细胞癌8例、基底细胞上皮瘤10例、Bowen病8例和脂溢性角化病12例,运用免疫组化方法观察肿瘤细胞中环氧化酶-2的表达。结果 与正常表皮相比,环氧化酶-2在鳞状细胞癌、Bowen病、基底细胞上皮瘤中的表达明显上调,尤其以鳞状细胞癌中的表达最强。而环氧化酶-2在脂溢性角化病中的表达与正常人皮肤的表达近似。结论 环氧化酶-2表达的上调可能在表皮肿瘤的发生发展中发挥一定作用。     

Survivin和COX-2在皮肤基底细胞癌和鳞状细胞癌组织中的表达及相关性

目的了解皮肤基底细胞癌和皮肤鳞状细胞癌中Survivin和COX-2的表达情况及两者的关系。方法采用免疫组化法检测10例正常对照组、23例基底细胞癌、18例鳞状细胞癌组织中Survivin和COX-2的表达情况。结果 Survivin蛋白在正常组织中不表达,基底细胞癌和鳞状细胞癌中Survivin蛋白的表达率分别为60.87%和66.67%。COX-2在正常组织中的表达率为10%,基底细胞癌和鳞状细胞癌中COX-2的表达率分别为65.22%和66.67%,且明显高于其在正常组织中的表达率。Survivin的表达和COX-2的表达呈显著正相关(P0.05)。结论 Survivin蛋白和COX-2在皮肤基底细胞癌和皮肤鳞状细胞癌中高表达,两者呈正相关。     

埃兹蛋白在皮肤鳞状细胞癌、基底细胞上皮瘤、脂溢性角化病中的表达及临床意义

目的 探讨埃兹蛋白（ezrin）在脂溢性角化病、基底细胞上皮瘤、皮肤鳞状细胞癌中的表达及其与临床病理参数之间的相关性。方法 采用免疫组化法（SP法）检测36例皮肤鳞状细胞癌、27例基底细胞上皮瘤和20例脂溢性角化病、10例正常人皮肤中埃兹蛋白表达水平。结果 埃兹蛋白在正常人皮肤、脂溢性角化病、基底细胞上皮瘤、皮肤鳞状细胞癌中的阳性率分别为20.0%,25.0%,66.7％和91.3%,除脂溢性角化病组外,各肿瘤组与正常人对照组比较,阳性率差异均有统计学意义（H = 40.061,P < 0.01）。埃兹蛋白表达水平与皮肤肿瘤良恶性、与皮肤鳞状细胞癌的病理分级及肿瘤有无淋巴结转移均呈正相关（r分别为0.87,0.80,0.89）。COX回归显示,埃兹蛋白表达水平是皮肤鳞状细胞癌预后的独立影响因素之一。结论 脂溢性角化病、基底细胞上皮瘤、皮肤鳞状细胞癌组织中埃兹蛋白阳性表达水平与皮肤肿瘤的良恶性、皮肤鳞状细胞癌病理分级及有无淋巴结转移有关。     

抗凋亡基因Bcl－2在皮肤角朊细胞肿瘤中的表达

Ｂｃｌ－２是一种原癌基因，它可阻断程序化细胞死亡（细胞凋亡），我们用免疫组化标记Ｂｃｌ－２在１２例基底细胞癌和１０例鳞状细胞癌，结果示正常皮肤基底层细胞呈阳性，基底层以上各层细胞阴性；所有基底细胞癌均呈阳性。提示Ｂｃｌ－２在基底细胞癌的发生、发展中可能起着重要作用。     

七种细胞角蛋白在皮肤上皮性肿瘤中的表达

目的 观察7种细胞角蛋白在皮肤上皮性肿瘤中的表达,并探讨其意义.方法 应用免疫组化S-P法对54例不同的皮肤上皮性肿瘤和20例正常皮肤进行细胞角蛋白7(K72.2)、细胞角蛋白8(C-51)、细胞角蛋白10(DE-K10)、细胞角蛋白14(LL002)、细胞角蛋白17(E3)、细胞角蛋白18(DC10)、细胞角蛋白19(KS19.1)标记,观察不同细胞角蛋白的表达.结果 54例皮肤上皮性肿瘤包括,鳞状细胞癌10例、基底细胞癌10例、毛发肿瘤19例、皮脂腺癌2例、汗腺肿瘤13例.皮肤上皮性肿瘤中7种细胞角蛋白的表达和分布有所不同.鳞状细胞癌、基底细胞癌和毛发分化的肿瘤中细胞角蛋白多数呈弥漫表达;而汗腺分化的肿瘤中,不同部位表达不同细胞角蛋白,每种肿瘤各有特点.结论 选择地检测一组细胞角蛋白的联合表达,有助于皮肤上皮性肿瘤的诊断和鉴别诊断.     

Elevated frequency of p53 genetic mutations and AgNOR values in squamous cell carcinoma

Background:  Epidermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common malignancy in Pakistan. We hypothesize that it is characterized by higher frequency of p53 genetic mutations and increased AgNOR values compared with squamous cell papilloma (SCP) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
Experimental design: To test our hypothesis, 140 skin biopsies (including 20 normal skin, 20 SCP, 20 BCC and 80 SCC samples of various grades) were examined for p53 mutations using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). AgNOR staining was used for histological determination of AgNOR index.
Results:  Both markers were undetectable in normal skin and were low in SCP. They were upregulated in BCC and SCC. PCR experiments revealed p53 mutations in 70% and 96.25% of BCC and SCC, respectively. Higher AgNOR values were seen in SCC than in BCC (mean AgNOR count = 5.81 ± 31 and 8.36 ± 19; percentage of AgNOR was 43.5% and 53% in BCC and SCC, respectively). Finally, p53 IHC score was found to be related to the AgNOR index in the histological grading of BCC and SCC (r = +0.983, p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:  Our results suggest that a higher frequency of p53 genetic mutations and increased AgNOR values exist in SCC compared with BCC and SCP. 'Consequently, SCC patients may have poorer prognosis'.     

Lamin expression in normal human skin,actinic keratosis,squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Aberrant expression patterns of nuclear lamins have been described in various types of cancer depending on the subtype of cancer, its aggressiveness, proliferative capacity and degree of differentiation. In general, the expression of A-type lamins (lamins A and C) has been correlated with a non-proliferating, differentiated state of cells and tissues. OBJECTIVES: To establish and compare the expression patterns of lamins in normal human skin, actinic keratosis (AK), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). METHODS: Expression patterns of the individual lamin subtypes were studied immunohistochemically. The proliferation capacity of the tumour cells was detected using a specific antibody to Ki-67, and was related to the A-type lamin expression patterns. RESULTS: In normal skin, lamin A was expressed in the suprabasal cell compartment of the epidermis, whereas the basal cells were mostly unstained. BCCs and SCCs stained positive in most cells, while the epidermis overlying BCC and SCC and the epidermis in AK stained homogeneously and strongly in the basal cells in addition to the suprabasal cells. Lamin C was expressed in some basal cells of normal epidermis while the suprabasal cells stained strongly positive. Both BCCs and SCCs stained strongly positive for lamin C, with the difference that in BCC the staining was predominantly present in nucleolar structures with occasional staining of the nuclear envelope. The epidermis overlying SCC showed strong positivity in the lamina of virtually all cells. The expression of lamin C in the basal cells of AK resembled the expression pattern seen in the epidermis overlying BCC, i.e. a nucleolar staining next to nuclear envelope staining. Lamin B1 and B2 were found in virtually all cells in normal epidermis, AK, BCC, SCC and the epidermis overlying cancer. The percentage of Ki-67-expressing cells was highest in BCC (45%), and gradually decreased via epidermis overlying BCC, AK, SCC, and epidermis overlying SCC, to normal skin (11%). Simultaneous expression of A-type lamins and Ki-67 occurred in approximately 50% of the proliferating (Ki-67 positive) cells in BCC and SCC. CONCLUSIONS: Significant changes occur in the expression patterns of A-type lamins in both premalignant and malignant lesions of the skin. The profound overlap of lamin A and Ki-67 staining patterns indicates that the proliferating tumour cells may obtain a certain degree of differentiation. Finally, lamin A expression in the basal cell layer of the apparently normal epidermis overlying BCC may suggest its involvement in the primary process.     

Livin和Caspase-3在皮肤基底细胞癌和皮肤鳞状细胞癌组织中的表达及相关性分析

目的了解皮肤基底细胞癌和皮肤鳞状细胞癌组织中Livin和Caspase-3的表达情况及二者的关系。方法采用免疫组化法检测25例基底细胞癌、18例鳞状细胞癌组织中Livin和Caspase-3的表达情况。结果①Livin蛋白在正常皮肤组织中不表达,基底细胞癌和鳞状细胞癌组织中Livin蛋白的阳性表达率分别为64.00%和72.22%。②Caspase-3在正常皮肤组织中表达,且明显高于基底细胞癌和鳞状细胞癌组织中Caspase-3的表达。③Caspase-3的表达与Livin的表达呈显著负相关。结论Livin在基底细胞癌和鳞状细胞癌组织中高表达,Caspase-3蛋白在基底细胞癌和鳞状细胞癌组织中低表达,且与Livn的表达呈负相关,提示二者可能共同参与基底细胞癌和鳞状细胞癌发病过程。