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Differential expression of α1 (IV) and α5 (IV) collagen chains in basal‐cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
Quatresooz Pascale,
Martalo Oriane,
Piérard Gérald E.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0560.2003.00118.x
Subject(s) - basement membrane , basal cell carcinoma , pathology , immunohistochemistry , differential diagnosis , carcinoma , type iv collagen , basal (medicine) , biology , chemistry , medicine , cell , basal cell , laminin , endocrinology , biochemistry , insulin
Background: Basement membrane alterations are common in malignancies, and they may indicate tumoral aggressiveness. Distinct patterns of tumoral coverage by collagen IV were reported in nodular and aggressive basal‐cell carcinomas (BCCs). Differential expressions of α (IV) collagen chains were also shown on frozen sections. The aim of our work was to document the immunohistochemical expression of α1, α3, and α5 (IV) collagen chains in BCC after routine fixation and processing. Methods: The patterns of distribution of α1 (IV), α3 (IV), and α5 (IV) collagen chains were studied in 20 formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded BCCs showing different infiltrative patterns. One trichoblastoma was used as control. Results: In nodular BCCs, the expression of α5 (IV) collagen chain was downregulated and uneven. By contrast, α1 (IV) collagen chain expression was preserved around these tumors similar to the surrounding skin. However, the α1 (IV) collagen chain expression was discontinuous or absent in BCC areas showing an infiltrative pattern of extension. The α3 chain was absent both underneath all BCCs and non‐neoplastic skin. Conclusions: The basement membrane alterations around nodular BCCs involved more precisely the α5 (IV) collagen chains. Defects in α1 (IV) collagen chain expression seemed to be associated with a tumoral invasive and infiltrative pattern. The biological significance of these findings is unclear.