Differential expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 in melanocytic skin lesions

Am J Clin Pathol. 2009 May;131(5):710-4. doi: 10.1309/AJCPR84ULYVMNJHG.

Abstract

Neoplastic melanocytes may exhibit certain differentiation characteristics of other neural-crest derivatives. We aimed to study the expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) in different types of melanocytic skin lesions. Paraffin-embedded sections of 42 benign nevi (BN), 22 dysplastic nevi (DN), 45 superficial spreading melanomas (SSMs), and 15 subcutaneous melanoma metastases were immunohistologically assessed using the monoclonal mouse MAP-2ab antibody (Zytomed, Berlin, Germany). The percentage MAP-2 expression of DN and SSMs was significantly increased compared with BN. Moreover, subcutaneous melanoma metastases showed significantly decreased MAP-2 expression compared with DN and SSMs. In SSMs, MAP-2 expression significantly correlated with the Breslow vertical tumor thickness, Clark level, and stage of disease. We observed that MAP-2 is differentially expressed during the development and progression of benign and malignant melanocytic skin lesions. In contrast with the findings of previous studies, our data indicate that MAP-2 is a moderately positive predictor of the progression of SSMs.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Disease Progression
  • Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Melanocytes / metabolism
  • Melanocytes / pathology
  • Melanoma / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / secondary
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Nevus, Pigmented / metabolism*
  • Nevus, Pigmented / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MAP2 protein, human
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins