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Expression of complement regulator proteins in primary and metastatic malignant melanoma
Author(s) -
Weichenthal Michael,
Siemann Ute,
Neuber Karsten,
Breitbart Eckard W.
Publication year - 1999
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.1600-0560.1999.tb01833.x
Subject(s) - cd59 , cd46 , melanoma , immunohistochemistry , cancer research , immune system , complement factor i , antigen , complement system , immunochemistry , regulator , biology , pathology , immunology , medicine , antibody , gene , genetics
The expression of complement regulatory antigens C3b/C4b receptor, (CD35) membrane cofactor protein (CD46), decay accelerating factor (CD55), and homologous restriction factor 20 (CD59) was determined immunohistochemically on ten primary malignant melanomas, 16 metastatic lesions, and ten melanocytic nevi. All of the melanocytic new and 9/10 primary melanomas showed both expression of CD46 and CD59. In one primary melanoma lacking CD46, expression of CD35 could be delected. In metastatic melanoma, 9/16 metastascs were CD46+/CD59+, two were CD46‐/CD59+, one CD46+/ CD59‐, and four CD46‐/CD59‐. Additionally, CD55 could he detected in two CD46 +/CD59 + metastases, and CD35 in one. Expression or lack of complement regulatory antigens did not correlate with the expression of GD2, GD3, HMB‐45 or S‐100. In conclusion, some cases of metastatic melanoma show loss of normal expression of complement regulatory proteins. This might have implications on the immune response or the efficacy of immune therapy in malignant melanoma.