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Altered expression of epithelial integrins and extracellular matrix receptors in oral erythema multiforme
Author(s) -
Mirowsk Ginat W.,
LozadaNur Francina,
Dekker Nusi P.,
MacPhail Laurie A.,
Regezi Joseph A.
Publication year - 1996
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.1600-0560.1996.tb01437.x
Subject(s) - laminin , basement membrane , pathology , integrin , hemidesmosome , extracellular matrix , connective tissue , biology , staining , basal lamina , epithelium , lamina propria , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , medicine , ultrastructure , biochemistry
Inflammation and ulceration at the epithelium‐connective tissue interlace, a characteristic of erythema multiforme (EM), may be associated with altered molecular attachment of basal keratinocytes. To determine the expression of basal keratinocyte‐associated integrins and their basement membrane ligands in oral EM, specimens of clinically and microscopically confirmed EM (n=12) and mucosal controls (n=7) were stained immunohistochemically for the integrins α3, β6, β1, and β4 and for extracellular matrix proteins laminin 1, laminin 5, collagen IV, and collagen VII using a standard avidin‐biotin‐peroxidase technique. In EM, results showed increased staining intensity for all integrins studied in basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. Basement membrane‐associated staining of a6 and b4 was intense, but disrupted and fragmented. In EM, integrin staining was most marked at the summit of the connective tissue papillae. Laminin 5 staining was more intense than in controls, was frequently fragmented, and extended into the lamina propria. Laminin 1 staining was discontinuous and was frequently less intense than in controls. Collagen IV staining in EM was interrupted along the basement membrane. Collagen VII staining was fragmented but unchanged in intensity. These alterations in interface adhesion molecules suggest that hemidesmosome‐associated molecules are important in the pathogenesis of EM. The staining intensities and patterns of expression of these adhesion molecules suggest that oral EM is initially focused in the connective tissue papillae.