Distribution of Fibronectin in the Skin of Basal cell Carcinoma , Squamous cell Carcinoma , and Psoriasis

Sang, Young Ho; Chung, Sang Lip

Abstract

Fibronectin(FN) is a major component of the extracellular matrix and is able to bind to cells and other components of the matrix. Although the cell producing the largest amounts of fibronectin is fibroblast, the pro duct,ion on FN also has been described in cultured keratinocyt,e and epithelial tumor cells of basal cell carcinoma(BCC). Recently, functional role nf FN in relation to biologic behavior of BCC and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) is open to speculation. The authors investigated the localization of FN in the lesional skin of 5 cases of BCC, 4 of SCC, 5 of psoriasis and 5 normal skin using direct immunofluorescence technique with antifibronectin antibody to find out the production of FN in keratinocytes and tumor cells. 1. In the skin of BCC, FN was presented in a thick, linear depositions along the margin of tumor lobules in all cases, and as fillamentous deposits or scattered points in the nest of tumor cells in 3 cases. 2. In the skin of SCC, FN was presented in a thin, coarse depositions around the margin of tumor but not presented within the tumor nest in all cases. R. In psoriasis, FN was observed in horney layer and upper part of epidermis. It was presented more abundantly in dermo-epidermal junction, papillary and reticular dermis than in normal skin. 4. In normal skin, FN was absent in the epidermis but presented in dermo-epidermal junction and blood vessel wall of upper dermis, the amount of FN was decreased from papillary to lower dermis.