Immunohistochemistry in cutaneous pathology

Immunoenzyme techniques in dermatopathology

The advantages and disadvantages of the immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques and an introductory description of the major variations of the basic immunoperoxidase method are discussed. The ability to identify intermediate filaments, T and B lymphocyte cell markers, S-100 proteins, myelin basic protein, and carcinoembryonic antigen in tissue sections can assist the dermatopathologist in classifying undifferentiated or histologically similar-appearing tumors. A systematic approach to the diagnosis of a majority of these tumors with the use of immunoenzyme staining is provided.

Granular-cell tumours of the skin do not express carcino-embryonic antigen

Granular-cell tumour (GCT) of the skin is an uncommon tumour of disputed histogenesis, that has been subjected to several immunohistochemical studies. The controversy existing in the literature concerning the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by GCT prompted us to study a series of 17 cases of cutaneous GCT by using an avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase technique on routinely-processed tissue sections. No CEA activity was detected in any of the tumours screened. The reasons for this controversy are discussed.

Immunoperoxidase methods and advances in skin biology

This review presents an abbreviated discussion of a technic the application of which is having profound effects on approaches to pathologic diagnosis, classification of tumors, analysis of cell infiltrates in the skin, and a variety of research problems. Its use will continue to increase as more physicians, pathologists, and researchers become acquainted with its potential.

Immunohistologic study of cellular populations of histiocytofibromas ("dermatofibromas")

Histiocytofibromas (HF) are benign tumours of the skin, the cellular composition of which is not yet known with certainty. The immunohistologic characteristics of 5 lesions were studied by using monoclonal antibodies and an indirect immunofluorescence method. All tumours were found to contain HLA-DR(+) cells, and, to a minor degree, OKM1(+) cells. OKT6(+) cells were present in the epidermis overlying the tumours; however in the HF themselves, no OKT6(+) cells were found. The presence of HLA-DR(+) and OKM1(+) cells demonstrates that HF contain cells bearing antigenic characteristics of histiocytes but not of Langerhans' cells, and we feel that the term "histiocytofibroma" is a more accurate designation for these lesions than "dermatofibroma".