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I Moll

Publications and source records attributed to I Moll.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Changes of expression of intermediate filament proteins during ontogenesis of eccrine sweat glands.

The intermediate filament expression in fetal and adult human eccrine sweat glands was studied by immunoperoxidase microscopy performed on cryostat sections using monoclonal antibodies against various cytokeratins (CK), vimentin, and actin. In palmar skin of 14-week-old fetuses, the early dermal cords showed a primitive CK pattern similar to that of epidermal basal cells. From week 15 on (distal finger skin), inner cells of the proximal (ductal) portion of the glandular anlagen expressed CK 1/10/11 and 19 (markers of adult eccrine ductal luminal cells). In addition, CK 4 was expressed in ductal luminal cells mainly in the fetal period. In the distal portion of the sweat gland anlagen the increased or new expression of the simple-epithelium-type CK 7, 8, 18, and 19 was detected at week 15, indicating the onset of the secretory differentiation pathway. Two subsegments of the prospective secretory portion could be distinguished (elongated part and end bud). Interestingly, in fetuses, most secretory portion cells co-expressed vimentin in addition to CK. From week 22 on, peripheral cells of the secretory portion were stained for CK 17 and smooth-muscle-type actin, suggesting myoepithelial differentiation. In newborn and adult eccrine glands, secretory cells expressed mainly CK 7, 8, 18, and 19, whereas myoepithelial cells were conspicuous by their co-expression of certain CK (including CK 5 and 17), vimentin, and smooth-muscle-type actin and sometimes even glial filament protein (GFP), similar to myoepithelial cells of other glands. These results throw further light onto the complex processes of fetal development of eccrine sweat glands and their cellular diversification. The possible biologic significance of the differential CK expression in the various glandular cell types is discussed.

Adult↗

Early development of human Merkel cells.

Human fetal Merkel cells are now generally considered to be epidermal derivatives. Previous studies using antibodies against the simple epithelial cytokeratins (CKs), 8 and 18, have demonstrated the presence of these cells in the epidermis at as early as fetal week 10 to 12. Using antibodies against CK 20 whose expression within the skin is restricted to Merkel cells, we applied immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase microscopy to analyze earlier embryonic and fetal human skin (wk 7 to 9). We were able to demonstrate the first Merkel cells at as early as fetal wk 8, i.e., at the same time as the epidermis starts to develop an intermediate, third layer, characterized by the expression of CKs 1, 10, and 11. Most of these early Merkel cells were localized above the basal layer. Their shape was round to oval, dendrites being infrequent and short. At fetal wk 9, Merkel cells were considerably more numerous. These results persuasively argue for a much earlier fetal development of Merkel cells within the epidermis than previously thought. A hypothesis concerning the differentiation of Merkel cells from embryonic basal keratinocytes is discussed.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Comparative cytokeratin analysis of sweat gland ducts and eccrine poromas.

Human eccrine sweat gland ducts and benign and malignant eccrine poromas were studied for the expression of various cytokeratins (CK) and vimentin by applying immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence microscopy to frozen or paraffin-embedded sections, and using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. In acrosyringia and dermal eccrine ducts, the luminal cells exhibited intense staining for CKs 1/10/11 and 19. The periluminal cell layers of acrosyringia contained CKs 1/10/11, while CK 5 was absent. In contrast, the basal cell layer of dermal ducts was only positive with the antibody against CK 5, i.e. a pattern resembling that seen in epidermal basal cells. CK 9 was detected only in keratinocytes peripherally surrounding acrosyringia. In benign poromas, gel electrophoresis revealed that CKs 5 and 14 were predominant, with CKs 6, 16 and 17 being minor components. At the immunohistochemical level CKs 1/10/11 and 19 could be further detected with varying frequency in scattered or clustered cells and/or duct-like structures. Occasionally, CK 9-positive cells were observed. Malignant poromas displayed a similar overall gel-electrophoretic pattern. Their immunohistochemical staining patterns were also similar to (albeit rather more variable than) those seen in benign poromas. Our results show that, with respect to their CK expression pattern, the majority of poroma cells resemble the basal cells of both the dermal ducts and the epidermis, while only minor and variable subpopulations acquire features present in ductal/acrosyringial luminal cells that would be indicative of poral differentiation. Thus, the matrix cells of poromas seem to be most closely related to basal cells located at the transition between the glandular epidermal ridge and dermal eccrine duct, being in no way analogous to the cells of the adult acrosyringium above the basal cell level.

Adenoma, Sweat Gland↗

[Development of the epidermis from fish to human].

The epidermis, the outermost layer of all individuals, is a point of contact between individuals and their surroundings, especially insofar as it mediates sensory stimuli, but it also has the function of separating them from their surroundings and providing protection from harmful environmental influences. This paper traces the adaptation of the epidermis of vertebrates to these multiple functions via various methods of differentiation. In the human, epidermal differentiation is divided into synthesis, transformation, and terminal stages, and the stratum corneum is the final product of this differentiation. The differentiation products (tonofilaments, keratohyalin granules, membrane coating granules, cornified envelopes) are discussed with reference to their molecular bases (especially cytokeratin polypeptides, filaggrin, involucrin, lipids). The importance of these new cell-biological results for the pathogenesis of disorders of keratinization is discussed.

Animals↗

Presence of Merkel cells in sun-exposed and not sun-exposed skin: a quantitative study.

Merkel cells (MCs), the neuroendocrine cells of the skin cannot be identified with certainty using conventional light microscopic staining methods. Using immunoperoxidase microscopy with antibodies specific for cytokeratin 18, which has been established as a marker protein of MCs, we have evaluated the numbers of MCs per mm2 skin in normal and sun-damaged upper arm skin. The sun-exposed skin contained twice as many MCs as the not sun exposed skin. Further quantification of MC density at various body sites (trunk, leg) showed a rather variable but often unexpectedly high MC density. The possible role of MC in development of actinic elastosis is discussed.

Adolescent↗

Intraepidermal formation of Merkel cells in xenografts of human fetal skin.

An experimental transplantation model using human fetal skin was applied to approach the question of the embryologic origin of human Merkel cells. Palmar and plantar skin from five fetuses, between 8 and 11 weeks of estimated gestational age (EGA), was xenografted to subcutaneous beds of nude mice. After 4 or 8 weeks of growth, biopsies were taken from these xenografts and examined for the presence of Merkel cells, using immunocytochemistry with antibodies specific for simple epithelial-type cytokeratins and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as well as using electron microscopy. Skin from the same fetuses at the time of transplantation was screened in the same way. In all fetuses, no (or very scarce) epidermal Merkel cells were detected at the transplantation time, but in all cases abundant epidermal Merkel cells of apparent human origin were found after 4 or 8 weeks in xenograft culture. Dermal nerve fibers, as recognized by neurofilament antibodies, were scarce or essentially absent in the xenografts. These results indicate that Merkel cells regularly develop in epidermis dissected and xenografted in an early fetal stage, although the dissection implies the interruption of the dermal nerves. The results strongly support the notion of the origin of Merkel cells from epidermal precursor cells. The apparent absence of dermal Merkel cells and dermal nerve fibers in the xenografts suggests that the presence of dermal sensory nerve fibers may be required for the dropping off of epidermal Merkel cells into the upper dermis, which occurs in normal fetal development.

Animals↗

Synthesis of cytokeratin 13, a component characteristic of internal stratified epithelia, is not induced in human epidermal tumors.

Human cytokeratin 13 is one of the most abundant intermediate filament (IF) proteins of many internal stratified epithelia and occurs, at least in certain cell cultures, in an O-glycosylated form binding the lectin, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). As other groups have reported that, in the mouse, the synthesis of mRNA encoding the 47-kDa cytokeratin corresponding to human cytokeratin 13 is induced in epidermal keratinocytes during malignant transformation, we have examined the synthesis of cytokeratin 13 mRNA and protein in human epidermis and epidermal tumors, using specific cDNA probes and cytokeratin 13 antibodies. We isolated two different cDNA clones from the vulvar carcinoma cell line A-431, in which this protein is abundant: One clone seems to represent the entire mRNA, whereas the other is only a minor component and encodes a truncated cytokeratin 13 lacking most of the carboxy-terminal tail domain, probably a product of alternative, "incorrect" splicing. Comparison of the amino acid sequences with those of other cytokeratins revealed a high degree of conservation with respect to several other human type I cytokeratins, notably cytokeratin 15, and to the murine 47-kDa cytokeratin. When human epidermis and a series of benign and malignant epidermal tumors were examined with these cDNA probes and cytokeratin-13-specific antibodies we did not find an induction of expression in keratinocytes, normal or malignantly transformed, except for some scattered, sparse cytokeratin-13-positive cells and very low levels of cytokeratin 13 mRNA, detectable only with the highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We conclude that the gene(s) encoding cytokeratin 13 are not induced in human keratinocytes during epidermal carcinogenesis, in apparent contrast to reports of murine epidermal tumors, and we discuss possible explanations for this interspecies difference.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cytokeratin analysis of pilomatrixoma: changes in cytokeratin-type expression during differentiation.

The various structural components of pilomatrixoma (calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe) were studied for the expression of hair-specific (trichocytic) cytokeratins as well as epithelial cytokeratins, using immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence microscopy of frozen sections as well as two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Trichocyte-type cytokeratins were detected in only a minor subpopulation of basophilic cells but more prominently in most "transitional" cells as well as in "shadow" cells. In contrast, antibodies against certain epithelial cytokeratins (including antibody KA1 against cytokeratins of stratified squamous epithelia and antibodies against cytokeratin 19) revealed an extensive but heterogeneous staining of basophilic cells. In regions of squamoid cells, epithelial cytokeratins in an unusual pattern were found. An antibody against vimentin was negative on pilomatrixoma cells. An antibody against desmoplakins decorated true desmosomes in basophilic and transitional cells. Biochemically, trichocytic cytokeratin polypeptides as well as epithelial cytokeratins 5, 6, 14, 16, 17, and 19 were positively detected. These results provide evidence in support of the notion of a trichocytic differentiation and probably derivation of pilomatrixoma. According to the cytokeratin expression patterns the majority of pilomatrixoma cells resemble the normal hair cortex lineage but some enter a pathway of squamous cell differentiation.

Adult↗

Patterns of expression of trichocytic and epithelial cytokeratins in mammalian tissues. III. Hair and nail formation during human fetal development.

Cells forming hair and nail material are characterized by the synthesis of members of a particular group of alpha-keratin polypeptides (trichocytic cytokeratins. "T cytokeratins") different from epithelial cytokeratins ("E cytokeratins"). As the precursor cells to trichocytes are derived from fetal epidermal keratinocytes expressing only E cytokeratins, we have studied the patterns of expression of both T and E cytokeratins in developing human hair-and nail-forming tissues of different fetal stages, by immunocytochemistry using antibodies specific for certain T or E cytokeratins and by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. In developing hair follicles up to the early bulbous-peg stage (weeks 12-15 of gestational age), only certain E but no T cytokeratins were identified. T cytokeratins were first detected in the late bulbous-peg stage (in week-14 scalp skin) in certain cells of the central part of the hair cone. In hair-producing follicles (weeks 18-25), the lower hair matrix cells were positive for certain E cytokeratins, whereas T cytokeratins appeared in the uppermost portion of the matrix and, most prominently, in the maturing trichocytes. From the late bulbous-peg stage on. E cytokeratin antibody Ks13.1 selectively decorated the inner root sheath. In finger nail "anlagen", T cytokeratins were detected first in week 12 and 13 fetuses, specifically in cells of the lunula region. In more-advanced stages of nail formation, expression of T cytokeratins extended not only to the upper layers of the ventral nail matrix but was also found, albeit more sparsely, in cells of the whole nail-bed epithelium. Throughout these developmental stages, coexpression of T and E cytokeratins was noted in certain cells, including E cytokeratin 19. While in earlier stages E cytokeratins 10/11, characteristic of epidermal-type cornification, were noted in different regions, including the superficial stratum of the nail bed epithelium, they were later restricted to the epithelium of the proximal nail fold. The results show that terminal trichocytic differentiation starts, both in ontogeny and during the steady growth of hairs and nails, in cells expressing E cytokeratins and that coexpression of E and T polypeptides occurs in both kinds of appendages. While in the hair follicle, the change to the exclusive synthesis of T cytokeratins appears to take place relatively abruptly and simply, the development of nail structures from the ventral nail matrix seems to be more gradual and is characterized by more-complex patterns of coexpression of both kinds of cytokeratins.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Patterns of expression of trichocytic and epithelial cytokeratins in mammalian tissues. II. Concomitant and mutually exclusive synthesis of trichocytic and epithelial cytokeratins in diverse human and bovine tissues (hair follicle, nail bed and matrix, lingual papilla, thymic reticulum).

The hair-forming cells (trichocytes) and the mature hair contain four major trichocytic cytokeratins from each of the subfamilies, basic (Hb1-4) and acidic (Ha1-4); these are related - but not identical - to the epithelial cytokeratins. Here we show, by biochemical methods and immunofluorescence microscopy using antibodies specific for either epithelial or trichocyte cytokeratins, that the same set of hair-type cytokeratins, including two newly identified minor components, designated Hax (type I) and Hbx (type II), are also expressed in cells forming nails, in the filiform papillae of the dorsal surface of human and bovine tongue, and, most surprisingly, in some cells of the epithelial reticulum of bovine and human thymus. By double-label immunofluorescence microscopy, we also show that the expression of the two subsets of cytokeratins, i.e., the epithelial and the trichocytic ones, is not necessarily mutually exclusive, but that certain cells of hair follicles, nail matrix and bed, lingual papillae, and the nonlymphoid cell system of the thymus contain both trichocytic and certain epithelial cytokeratins. This indicates that these cells coexpress representatives of both kinds of cytokeratin. Implications of these findings with respect to problems of regulatory control of cytokeratin synthesis in tissue development and differentiation, and the possible functional meaning of the occurrence of trichocytic cytokeratins in such histologically diverse tissues, are discussed.

Animals↗

Patterns of expression of trichocytic and epithelial cytokeratins in mammalian tissues. I. Human and bovine hair follicles.

The cytokeratin family of intermediate filament (IF) proteins can be grouped into the epithelial polypeptides ("soft alpha-keratins"), of which at least 19 exist in the various human epithelia, and the hair-type cytokeratins ("hard alpha-keratins"), which are typical of trichocytes, i.e., the living hair-forming cells. We have recently shown [34] that the hair follicles from diverse mammalian species contain a set of eight major cytokeratin polypeptides, four each of the acidic (type I) and the basic (type II) subfamily, which are different from all known epithelial cytokeratins. In addition, we have identified two new minor trichocytic cytokeratin polypeptides, designated Hax (type I) and Hbx (type II). Antibodies against trichocytic cytokeratins that do not crossreact with any of the epithelial cytokeratins have enabled us to study the expression of both kinds of cytokeratin in the various cell types of human and bovine hair follicles. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, we have observed intense reactions of trichocytic cytokeratins only in cells contributing to the forming hairs, i.e., hair shaft, medulla and cuticle, whereas immunostaining of the peribulbar matrix cells was weaker, if at all detectable. In contrast, epithelial cytokeratins were localized in both the inner and outer root sheath epithelia but, surprisingly, also in certain portions of the trichocyte column, notably cells of the cuticle, certain medullary cells, and trichocytes of the basalmost peripapillary cell layers. Cells coexpressing trichocytic and epithelial cytokeratins have been identified by double-label immunofluorescence microscopy. Epithelial cytokeratins of the inner and outer root sheath epithelia include, most remarkably, "simple-epithelium-type" cytokeratins 8, 18, and 19; these occur in certain peribulbar regions, in distinct patterns, but with variable frequencies. The occurrence of simple epithelial cytokeratins in hair follicles has also been confirmed by high-sensitivity immunoblotting of follicular polypeptides separated by gel electrophoresis. Vimentin-positive cells were abundantly interspersed (in some follicles, but not in all) between the trichocytes of the peripapillary cone, most of them probably being melanocytes. The cell-type complexity of the hair follicle and the different patterns of cytoskeletal protein expression in the various hair follicle cells are discussed in relation to the development and growth of this organ.

Animals↗

[The cytoskeleton in hereditary ichthyoses].

The hereditary forms of ichthyosis can be considered to be models of impaired terminal epidermal differentiation. Analysis of the cytokeratin polypeptide pattern represents a new attempt at elucidating the mechanisms of keratinization mechanisms which are still unclear. We therefore studied the cytokeratin expression of the following types of ichthyosis: autosomal dominant ichthyosis vulgaris (n = 4), X-linked recessive ichthyosis vulgaris (n = 4), recessive non-bullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (n = 1), recessive classical lamellar ichthyosis (n = 2), autosomal dominant lamellar ichthyosis (n = 1), and Netherton syndrome (n = 1). After dissection of frozen sections of the interfollicular epidermis, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was performed. For immunofluorescence microscopy a panel of monoclonal cytokeratin antibodies (KG8.13, KK8.60, KA5 and AE1) was used. Cytokeratin polypeptide expression was basically unchanged compared with normal epidermis. In contrast, however, the antibody AE1 did not stain the basal cell layer in most types of ichthyosis, regardless of their genetic type. The cytokeratin polypeptides nos. 6 and 16, which are generally considered markers of hyperproliferation, were not expressed in either type of ichthyosis vulgaris (XRI or ADI), but were detected in trace amounts in various types of congenital ichthyosis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Distribution of a special subset of keratinocytes characterized by the expression of cytokeratin 9 in adult and fetal human epidermis of various body sites.

Biochemical analyses have previously shown that palmar and plantar epidermis, unlike the epidermis of other body sites, contain cytokeratin 9 (Mr 64,000), an unusually large acidic (type I) cytokeratin. Guinea-pig antibodies that specifically and selectively react with bovine and human cytokeratin 9 were used for the immunocytochemical identification of cytokeratin 9 in adult and fetal human epidermis from various body sites. In the epidermis of palms and soles, antibodies against cytokeratin 9 stained a high proportion of the keratinocytes in suprabasal locations. These suprabasal cytokeratin-9-positive keratinocytes were often arranged in vertical columns and concentrated around intraepidermal sweat-gland ducts, but they sometimes also formed extended continuous sheets. In contrast, another type-I component, cytokeratin(s) 10/11, was uniformly distributed among suprabasal keratinocytes. By double-labeling immunofluorescence microscopy using a monoclonal antibody against cytokeratin(s) 10/11, we found that cytokeratin 9 usually appears in cells located one or two layers above the cells in which cytokeratin(s) 10/11 is detected, indicating that most keratinocytes expressing cytokeratin 9 also express cytokeratin(s) 10/11. At other body sites, cytokeratin 9 was only detected in sparsely distributed keratinocytes localized in upper epidermal layers; these cells were scattered or formed small clusters, and often exhibited a conspicuous association with the epidermal portion of eccrine sweat-gland ducts. During human fetal development, cytokeratin 9 was first detected at week 15 of gestation in some suprabasal cells of the foot-sole epidermis and, occasionally, in basal cells. At later fetal stages, most of the cytokeratin-9-positive cells appeared in clusters that were mainly concentrated in glandular ridges and interridges. Our results show that two major types of terminally differentiating keratinocytes can be distinguished in human epidermis, i.e. those that do and those that do not express cytokeratin 9. This special program of keratinocyte differentiation identified by the presence of cytokeratin 9 appears to be related to the morphogenesis of palm and sole epidermis, where this protein is expressed early in fetal life. Possible biological functions of this subset of cytokeratin-9-positive keratinocytes are discussed.

Adult↗

Formation of epidermal and dermal Merkel cells during human fetal skin development.

The origin of Merkel cells is still a matter of debate, specifically the question of whether they are derived from epithelial cells of the epidermis or from immigrated neural crest cells. As an argument for the latter hypothesis the occurrence of dermal, nerve-associated Merkel cells in human fetal skin has often been mentioned. Therefore, we analyzed the distribution of Merkel cells in epidermis and dermis of plantar skin of human embryos and fetuses, ranging in gestational age between 7 and 17 weeks. Merkel cells were identified by immunocytochemistry on frozen sections using antibodies against simple epithelium-type cytokeratins and by electron microscopy. In the 17-week-old fetus, 17% of the total cutaneous (epidermal and dermal) Merkel cells were located in the upper dermal compartment, whereas in the 14-week-old fetus only 3.9% of the Merkel cells were dermal, including some cells that seemed to be in the process of traversing the dermal-epidermal junction. Thirteen-week-old fetuses showed even fewer dermal Merkel cells. Twelve-week-old fetuses exhibited 660 epidermal Merkel cells per 100 mm total section length, but none in the upper or deep dermis. In 7- to 9-week embryos, no Merkel cells were recognized. However, at this stage, but not in later stages, the basal cells of the plantar epidermis expressed certain simple epithelium-type cytokeratin polypeptides. These results speak against an invasion of Merkel cells or putative neural crest-derived precursor cells into the epidermis via a dermal passage. They suggest that in plantar skin Merkel cells arise, between weeks 8-12, from precursor stages of epithelial cells of the early fetal epidermis which still express simple epithelium-type cytokeratins. The results further suggest that in subsequent stages of skin development some epidermal Merkel cells detach from the epithelium and migrate into the upper dermis where some of them may associate with small nerves.

Embryonic and Fetal Development↗

Variability of expression and arrangement of cytokeratin and neurofilaments in cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinomas (Merkel cell tumors): immunocytochemical and biochemical analysis of twelve cases.

Twelve specimens of cutaneous neuroendocrine carcinomas (Merkel cell tumors) available as fresh tissue were analyzed for intermediate filament (IF) expression by immunocytochemical and biochemical methods. In immunofluorescence microscopy, most cases were positive for both simple-epithelium-type cytokeratins and the neurofilament L- and M-polypeptides. Several different IF staining patterns ranging from presence of plaque-like structures (fibrous bodies) only to nearly exclusive expression of delicate cytokeratin fibrils could be distinguished. In immunoelectron microscopy the labeling for both cytokeratin and neurofilament polypeptides seemed evenly distributed among the IFs of the fibrous bodies. In primary culture, tumor cells maintained the coexpression of both IF types. Desmoplakin-positive true desmosomes were found in 5 specimens. Biochemically, cytokeratins nos. 8, 18 and, variably, 19, as well as IT protein and, in many specimens, the neurofilament L-protein and a putative neurofilament M-protein were detected. Only traces of the neurofilament H-polypeptide were found. Our results show that a coexpression of cytokeratin IFs and neurofilaments in variable patterns is a characteristic feature of cutaneous neoendocrine carcinomas; occasionally, however, neurofilaments may be very scarce. The biological, histogenetic and diagnostic implications are discussed.

Adult↗

The intermediate filament complement of the spectrum of nerve sheath neoplasms.

The intermediate filament complement of the spectrum of nerve sheath neoplasms including 12 typical benign schwannomas, 1 ancient schwannoma, 2 cellular schwannomas, 6 neurofibromas and 4 malignant schwannomas was investigated by immunofluorescence microscopy, two dimensional electrophoresis, and immunoblot analysis. Studies were performed on freshly frozen tumor tissue samples; a broad spectrum of antibodies against all classes of intermediate filaments was utilized. Samples were also studied by electron microscopy, and immunohistochemically for S-100 protein and desmoplakins. By immunofluorescence microscopy, all nerve sheath neoplasms revealed intense positivity for vimentin throughout the cytoplasm while 2 benign schwannomas displayed co-expression of vimentin and glial filament proteins. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis confirmed the presence of vimentin and showed that it was the predominant protein in all tumors. Electrophoretic analysis of the 2 benign schwannomas that immunostained for glial filament proteins confirmed the presence of this protein which was shown to comigrate with a known human control sample. Neither immunofluorescence microscopy nor biochemical analyses revealed cytokeratin polypeptides, neurofilament proteins, desmin, or desmoplakin in any of the tumors. We conclude that while vimentin is the predominant intermediate filament expressed by the entire spectrum of nerve sheath neoplasms, at least occasional benign schwannomas are capable of co-expressing glial filament proteins. It remains to be determined whether the subgroup of nerve sheath neoplasms that co-expresses vimentin and glial filament proteins is otherwise distinguishable from their more frequent counterparts that express vimentin exclusively.

Adolescent↗

Cells of extramammary Paget's disease express cytokeratins different from those of epidermal cells.

The patterns of expression of cytokeratin polypeptides which are closely correlated to routes of differentiation of epithelial cells were studied in extramammary Paget's disease. Cytokeratins of uninvolved and involved epidermis were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of microdissected tissue preparations as well as by immunofluorescence microscopy using cytokeratin antibodies with different specificities. In uninvolved epidermis, cytokeratins Nos. 1, 5, 6, 10, 11, 14, and 16, characteristic of keratinocytes, were found. Epidermis infiltrated by Paget's cells contained the same components and, in addition, cytokeratins Nos. 7, 8, 18, and 19, the latter being characteristic of simple and glandular epithelia, including apocrine and eccrine skin glands. By immunohistochemistry, broad-spectrum antibodies to cytokeratins decorated both keratinocytes and Paget's cells. Antibodies selective for cytokeratins Nos. 1, 10, and 11 stained suprabasal keratinocytes but not Paget's cells. In contrast, antibodies to cytokeratin No. 18 were negative on keratinocytes but the Paget's cells were selectively stained, as were the secretory cells but not the ductal cells in apocrine and eccrine glands. The results show that the cytoskeleton of Paget's cells is different from that of keratinocytes and ductal cells of skin glands and suggest that these tumor cells express the glandular type cytokeratins Nos. 7, 8, 18, and 19. This provides cell biologic support for a relationship of cells of Paget's disease to secretory cells of apocrine and eccrine glands. The histogenesis of extramammary Paget's cells is discussed in relation to these findings.

Aged↗