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01-11-2008 | Original Article

CD34⁺ fibrocytes in melanocytic nevi and malignant melanomas of the skin

Authors: Cordula Wessel, Christina C. Westhoff, Katharina Nowak, Ingrid Moll, Peter J. Barth

Published in: Virchows Archiv | Issue 5/2008

Abstract

CD34⁺ fibrocytes are constitutive elements of the human connective tissue. The stroma associated with invasive carcinomas is characterized by a stereotypic loss of CD34⁺ fibrocytes and a phenotype change towards CD34⁻ α-Smooth muscle actin (SMA)⁺ myofibroblasts. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is an important mediator of tumor-associated stromal remodeling. Melanocytic lesions of the skin have not been investigated as to this aspect up to now. Thus, we investigated a total of 20 malignant melanomas and 29 melanocytic nevi. The normal dermis and benign melanocytic nevi showed numerous CD34⁺ fibrocytes, whereas malignant melanomas were devoid of this cell type. α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts were absent from the normal dermis, melanocytic nevi, and malignant melanomas. SPARC was positive in malignant melanoma cells and negative in their associated stroma, while all melanocytic nevi were completely negative. The stromal phenotype of malignant melanomas (CD34⁻ α-SMA⁻) differs from that of invasive carcinomas (CD34⁻ α-SMA⁺) suggesting different pathogenic mechanisms involved in tumor-associated stromal remodeling. SPARC expression appears to be closely related to malignancy in melanocytic lesions.

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Title: CD34+ fibrocytes in melanocytic nevi and malignant melanomas of the skin
Authors: Cordula Wessel
Christina C. Westhoff
Katharina Nowak
Ingrid Moll
Peter J. Barth
Publication date: 01-11-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Virchows Archiv / Issue 5/2008
Print ISSN: 0945-6317
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2307
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-008-0667-9

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CD34⁺ fibrocytes in melanocytic nevi and malignant melanomas of the skin

Abstract

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