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Expression of the CD 15 antigen is a marker of cellular differentiation in cervical intra‐epithelial neoplasia (CIN)
Author(s) -
Sanders D. S. A,
Kerr M. A.,
Hopwood D.,
Coghill G.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711550305
Subject(s) - staining , epithelium , pathology , antigen , grading (engineering) , biology , immunohistochemistry , monoclonal antibody , antibody , cellular differentiation , immunology , medicine , gene , ecology , biochemistry
The CD 15 antigen (3‐fucosyl N ‐acetyllactosamine), present on the outer cell membrane of cervical squamous epithelial cells, is recognized by the monoclonal antibody MC2, which is similar to several commercially available antibodies. Staining sections of cervical biopsies with MC2 clearly demonstrates the zone of supra‐basal differentiated cells in the normal squamous epithelium. Staining with MC2 also demonstrates the diminished proportion of this zone occurring with grades of CIN, reflecting progressive de‐differentiation of the epithelium. In immature squamous metaplastic epithelium, absence of cytoplasmic differentiation is reflected by lack of staining. As expression of the CD 15, antigen by cervical squamous cells mirrors cytoplasmic maturity and is a marker of cellular differentiation, staining colposcopic biopsies with MC2 may aid the routine histopathological grading of CIN. A comparison is made between the staining pattern observed using MC2 with that of two commercially available antibodies (Leu M1 and Dako M1), and a possible role for the CD 15 antigen in cellular adhesion in squamous mucosae is discussed.