Patterns of the Immunohistochemical Expression of Melanoma-Associated Antigens and Density of Cd45r0+ Activated T Lymphocytes and L1-Protein Positive Macrophages in Primary Cutaneous Melanomas

in International Journal of Molecular Medicine (1998), 2(6), 721-724

There is ample evidence for spontaneous antimelanoma immune reactivity mediated by melanocyte-differentiation-antigens (MDAs). Our aim was to determine whether MDA immunoreactivity is associated with ... [more ▼]

There is ample evidence for spontaneous antimelanoma immune reactivity mediated by melanocyte-differentiation-antigens (MDAs). Our aim was to determine whether MDA immunoreactivity is associated with increased tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and macrophages (TIM). A retrospective study was conducted in 30 medium and high grade primary cutaneous melanomas (PCM) as identified by CART-analysis. All of the cases had developed clinical evidence for metastasis within 3 years following surgical excision of the PCM. We used immunohistochemistry and computerized image analysis to quantify MDAs positive cells (Melan A/MART-1, gp100/Pmel 17/HMB45, tyrosinase), CD45R0-positive TIL and LI-protein-positive TIM. A stochastic relationship was present between the MDA immuno-reactivities and the densities in TIL and TIM. An inverse relationship was yielded between TIL and TIM. No specific pattern of PCM immunoreactivity for MDAs, TIL and TIM was found to predict metastases. [less ▲]

Anneaux, cibles ou cocardes

in Revue Médicale de Liège (1998), 53(3), 117-118

Epidermal Calprotectin Expression in Lymphocyte-Depleted Cutaneous Graft-versus-Host Reaction

in Archivos Argentinos de Dermatologia (1998), 48

One of the most important complications associated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) altering different organs. The immunosuppressive regimen frequently abates ... [more ▼]

One of the most important complications associated with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) altering different organs. The immunosuppressive regimen frequently abates the severity of cutaneous lesions to a peculiar lymphocyto-depleted GVHR (LD-GVHR) with scant recognizable inflammatory cells and almost absence of epidermal injury. The recently revisited histological criteria for cutaneous GVHR are of little help in diagnosing such LD-GVHR. As calprotectin (L1-protein) has been reported to be expressed in several types of stressed epithelia, we assessed the epidermal calprotectin expression during LD-GVHR. Calprotectin expression was studied by immuno-histochemistry using the Mac 287 moAb in 50 cases of LD-GVHR and 40 cases of toxic reactions due to the conditioning regimens or to post-transplant drugs. Calprotectin was evidenced in normal looking keratinocytes of all cutaneous LD-GVHR cases and in the vast majority of cytotoxic drug-induced dermatitis. It is concluded that calprotectin immunoreactivity appears to be a diagnostic clue in LD-GVHR. The epidermal calprotectin expression occurs early in GVHD, irrespective of the histological grading. However, it cannot be used alone to distinguish early LD-GVHR from drug-induced dermatitis. [less ▲]

Are granulomatous reactions in old zoster lesions due to an immune response to varicella zoster virus glycoproteins?

in Clinical & Experimental Dermatology (1998), 23

Herpes zoster

in Acta Dermato Venereologica (1998), 78

Chronic varicella-zoster virus skin lesions in patients with human immunodeficiency virus are related to decreased expression of gE and gB

in Journal of Infectious Diseases (1997), 176(1), 261-264

The pathogenesis of chronic, verrucous varicella-zoster virus (VZV) cutaneous lesions in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons is unknown. It has been hypothesized that these lesions are due ... [more ▼]

The pathogenesis of chronic, verrucous varicella-zoster virus (VZV) cutaneous lesions in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons is unknown. It has been hypothesized that these lesions are due to an altered pattern of virus gene expression. Immediate early and late (L) gene expression in five chronic verrucous VZV lesions, four full-blown herpes zoster vesicular lesions in HIV-infected persons, and eight vesicular herpes zoster lesions in immunocompetent individuals was semiquantitatively assessed immunohistochemically using specific antibodies to the IE63, gE (L), and gB (L) proteins. All patients had evidence of IE63 expression in keratinocytes; however, gE expression was either weak or absent in keratinocytes of three verrucous lesions, and gB was either weak or absent in two. These results suggest that chronic VZV skin lesions are associated with diminished gE and gB expression. It is inferred that the VZV behavior in keratinocytes may vary from a latency-like state to a fully developed, productive infection. [less ▲]

Polymorphous light eruption-like lesions on sun-protected injection sites of recombinant IFN-alpha-2b

in Journal of Dermatological Treatment (1997), 8(4), 285

Occult genital herpes presenting as an endometrial infection detected at delivery: a report of two cases

in Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology (1997), 9

Background: The prevalence and clinical implications of asymptomatic genital herpes remain elusive. Objective/aim: We report two cases of clinically asymptomatic intrautcrine herpes simplex virus II (HSV ... [more ▼]

Background: The prevalence and clinical implications of asymptomatic genital herpes remain elusive. Objective/aim: We report two cases of clinically asymptomatic intrautcrine herpes simplex virus II (HSV-II) infection in order to discuss their pathological significance and demonstrate the potential utility of specific DNA probes and antibodies. Methods: Standard histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) were applied to formalin-tixed. paraffin-em bedded lissue sections of curettage specimens from women presenting deciditalised fragments retention after normal delivery. Results: Hisiological analysis revealed a focal clearing of endometrial epithelial cell nuclei, suggesting a viral etiology. ISH and IHC with differetit DNA probes or antibodies confirmed the diagnosis of HSV-II infection at the time of specimen collection. Clinical signs of muco-cutaneous involvement in the mothers and of neonatal HSV infection were not observed. Conclusion: These findings suggest that intrauterinc HSV-II infection is not always associated with disease. The IHC and ISH methods can be helpful to a.ssess the diagnosis of HSV-II intrauterine infections in the presence of optically clear cndotTietrial nuclei. Whether or not such HSV-II occult infection may be associated with viral shedding and risk of sexual transtnission was not evaluated in the present study. © 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. [less ▲]

Factor Xiiia-Positive Dendrocytes and Proliferative Activity of Cutaneous Cancers

in Virchows Archiv : An International Journal of Pathology (1996), 429(1), 43-48

Factor XIIIa-positive dendrocytes present at the periphery and inside epithelial neoplasms are an heterogeneous group of cells. They are subsets of mesenchymal cells, cancer-associated macrophages and ... [more ▼]

Factor XIIIa-positive dendrocytes present at the periphery and inside epithelial neoplasms are an heterogeneous group of cells. They are subsets of mesenchymal cells, cancer-associated macrophages and antigen-presenting cells. Factor XIIIa, other tissue transglutaminases, alpha 2-macroglobulin and tumour necrosis factor-alpha represent a complex network of mediators influencing tumour progression in the skin. In the present study we searched for the presence of dendrocytes and alpha 2-macroglobulin deposits inside and in the vicinity of cutaneous carcinomas (90 basal cell carcinomas and 46 squamous cell carcinomas) and malignant melanomas (69 primary and 28 metastatic tumours). We also studied the proliferation of the same neoplasms by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. Dendrocytes were numerous, abutting on and infiltrating most basal cell carcinomas and thin malignant melanomas. In contrast, they were present in only low numbers or even absent in thick primary malignant melanomas and in their metastases. They appeared unmodified around squamous cell carcinomas compared with the surrounding skin. Extracellular deposits of alpha 2-macroglobulin were often found in locations where dermal dendrocytes were numerous. No correlation was found between the Ki-67 indices of carcinomas and the density of peritumoral dendrocytes. In contrast, negative relationships were found between the Ki-67 indices and the number of dendrocytes present inside basal cell carcinomas and thin malignant melanomas. This study has yielded circumstantial evidence to link the density of factor XIIIa-positive dendritic cells and a low proliferative rate of neoplastic cells in basal cell carcinomas and malignant melanomas. [less ▲]

Distribution of varicella-zoster virus and herpes simplex virus in disseminated fatal infections

in Journal of Clinical Pathology (1996), 49(3), 243-248

AIMS: To study the cutaneous and visceral distribution of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in fatal infections. METHODS: Standard histology, immunohistochemistry (monoclonal ... [more ▼]

AIMS: To study the cutaneous and visceral distribution of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in fatal infections. METHODS: Standard histology, immunohistochemistry (monoclonal antibodies VL8 and VL2 and polyclonal antibody IE63 directed against VZV; monoclonal antibodies IBD4 and HH2 and polyclonal antibodies directed against HSVI and HSVII) and in situ hybridisation (anti-HSV and anti-VZV probes) were applied to formalin fixed, paraffin wax sections. RESULTS: On histological examination, Herpesviridae infection was evident in various organs including the lungs, liver and skin. In addition, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation revealed the presence of HSV and VZV antigens and nucleic acids in several cell types and tissues showing no cytopathological alterations suggestive of Herpesviridae infection. The organs with histological evidence of infection also contained VZV or HSV antigens and their genes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that organ failure in disseminated VZV and HSV infections is primarily caused by HSV or VZV induced cell damage and lysis. They also indicate that immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation can provide an accurate, type-specific diagnosis on formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue even when classic histological and cytological characteristics are lacking. [less ▲]