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CD44 and Hyaluronate Expression in Follicular Mucinosis
Author(s) -
Kaya Gürkan,
Augsburger Eric,
Chavaz Pierre,
Saurat JeanHilaire
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1111/j.0303-6987.2005.320dl.x
Subject(s) - pathology , epidermis (zoology) , cd44 , mucin , follicular phase , biology , dermis , immunohistochemistry , keratinocyte , hair follicle , medicine , cell , endocrinology , anatomy , cell culture , genetics
CD44 is the cell surface receptor for hyaluronate (HA). We demonstrated that the lack of CD44 expression in murine keratinocytes leads to an abnormal HA accumulation in the dermis, indicating an important role of CD44 in local HA metabolism in mouse skin. We also observed a decrease in the expression of epidermal CD44 in patients of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus which is potentially responsable for the dermal deposition of HA. We also showed that HA accumulation was associated with decreased expression of CD44 in epithelial proliferations in perifollicular solitary cutaneous myxoma. In this study we examined the follicular expression of CD44 and HA in the skin biopsy specimens of seven patients with follicular mucinosis by using CD44‐specific antibodies and biotinylated HA‐binding protein (HABP), respectively. No difference of CD44 expression was observed in the follicular keratinocytes when compared with those of unaffected interfollicular epidermis. The follicular zones of mucin deposition were strongly positive for HA. A weak interkeratinocyte staining pattern for HA was also observed in the interfollicular epidermis. However, HABP staining revealed a stronger reactivity in the follicular keratinocytes surrounding the mucin‐accumulated areas compared to the interfollicular keratinocytes, indicating an active secretion of HA by follicle cells in follicular mucinosis.