ISSN:
1365-2559
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Expression of adhesion molecules was investigated in six biopsy specimens of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis using immunocytochemistry. Cells with Langerhans' cell histiocytosis morphology were stained for ICAM-1, for the beta-1 integrins alpha-4 (VLA-4) and alpha-5 (VLA-5), and for the beta-2 integrins LFA-1, MAC-1 and p150,95. This pattern of reactivity was different from that of epidermal Langerhans' cells of the normal skin which were not immunostained. A variable number of CD68+ multinucleated giant cells was present in five biopsies. They were less reactive than the cells of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis for alpha-4 (VLA-4) and LFA-1, were positive for MAC-1 and p150,95 and were characterized by prominent expression of the beta-1 integrins alpha-2 (VLA-2), alpha-3 (VLA-3) and of VnR (alpha-v/ beta-3). The repertoire of adhesion molecules expressed by giant cells is indicative of profound cell-matrix interactions, whereas that of Langerhans' histiocytosis cells suggests particularly active cell–cell interactions. Blood vessels of the lesions were stained for beta-1 integrins, for vitronectin receptor and for molecules involved in adhesion and trans-endothelial migration of circulating leukocytes, such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin. Additional findings were the observation of CD1a+ multinucleated giant cells in a single case, suggesting a possible lineage relationship with the histiocytosis cells, and the demonstration of some Ki-67+ Langerhans' cell histiocytosis cells and CD1a+ mitotic figures in four of six cases, indicating local proliferation of Langerhans' histiocytosis cells.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2559.1993.tb01180.x
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