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Expression of estrogen receptor β in normal skin, melanocytic nevi and malignant melanomas
Author(s) -
OHATA Chika,
TADOKORO Taketsugu,
ITAMI Satoshi
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2008.00447.x
Subject(s) - estrogen receptor , immunohistochemistry , melanin , estrogen , melanoma , estrogen receptor beta , nevus , pathology , medicine , receptor , biology , cancer research , endocrinology , cancer , breast cancer , genetics
Sex hormones are known to be associated with increases of melanocytes and melanin production in human skin. However, the expression of estrogen receptor (ERα) in melanocytic lesions has been controversial. In 1996, a new subset of estrogen receptor was cloned, and named estrogen receptor β (ERβ). We used immunohistochemical staining to characterize the expression of ERα and ERβ in normal skin and in melanocytic lesions. Normal sebaceous glands and hair follicles were positive for ERα and ERβ. Other adnexal structures and constituents in the skin were positive for ERβ, but not for ERα. Melanocytic nevi and malignant melanomas were negative for ERα, but both were positive for ERβ. The ubiquitous expression of ERβ may play a fundamental role in various normal skin cells and melanocytic tumors.