Open AccessImmunohistochemical analysis of a merkeloma observed in a patient affected by hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia
Author(s) -
Elisa Rossi,
Laura Boeri,
Patrizia Morbini,
Fabio Pagella,
Andrea Colombo,
Elina Matti,
Carla Olivieri,
Vincenzo Villanacci,
Antonella Minelli,
Elisabetta Buscarini,
Cecilia Canzonieri,
Cesare Danesino
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr.09.2009.2251
Subject(s) - telangiectases , endoglin , medicine , telangiectasia , cd31 , acvrl1 , immunohistochemistry , pathology , cd34 , genodermatosis , gene , biochemistry , chemistry , stem cell , biology , genetics
Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by epistaxis, telangiectases, and multiorgan vascular dysplasia. Mutations of the ENG and ACVRL1 genes cause at least 80% of cases. We report the first case of merkeloma found in a patient with HHT carrying an ENG mutation. We analysed the tumour with immunohistochemical methods using primary antibodies against CD105 (endoglin), TGF-β, Smad4, CD31 and CD34. Tumour cells were positive for Smad4, weakly positive for TGF-β, and negative for CD105. Vasal endothelial cells were highly positive for CD105, CD31 and CD34. No remarkable differences between cancer and normal cells in our patient or between the patient's merkeloma and two control merkelomas were observed. The presence of a merkeloma in an HHT patient could be an occasional association, but to certainly assume it further investigations are needed.