Carcinoembryonic antigen and related glycoproteins in psoriasis

Immune reactivity in psoriatic munro-saboureau microabscesses, stratum corneum and blood vessels

Background:

A characteristic feature of early active psoriatic lesions is the intraepidermal penetration of neutrophils, with attendant formation of Munro-Saboureau microabscesses. Previous immunofluorescence studies have shown reactivity of in vivo binding of stratum corneum antibodies (SCAs) within the Munro-Saboreau microabscesses in cases of psoriasis.

Aims:

In our study, we aimed to investigate any correlation between the SCAs and the Munro-Saboureau microabscesses.

Materials and Methods:

We investigated 50 archival biopsies of psoriasis with Munro-Saboureau microabscesses, and attempted to confirm antibody colocalization within these microabcesses via immunohistochemistry staining. As controls, we utilized 50 skin biopsies from healthy patients undergoing esthetic plastic surgery procedures.

Results:

Within the Munro-Saboureau microabscesses, the following markers were statistically significantly positive relative to controls: CD1a, CD8, CD23, cyclooxygenase-2, myeloid histoid antigen, albumin, fibrinogen, kappa, lambda, von Willebrand factor, IgG, IgM, IgD, complement/C3c, C3d, myeloperoxidase, and carcinoembryonic antigen (P < 0.05). Autoreactivity to blood vessels was also detected, with multiple immunoglobulins and complement factors.

Conclusions:

We document important correlations between the Munro-Saboureau microabscesses, SCAs, and other immunoreactants.

Neoplasms with sweat gland differentiation express various glycoproteins of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a well-established marker for sweat gland differentiation in adnexal neoplasms. In contrast to previous assumptions, CEA does not represent a single oncofetal antigen but comprises a family of homologous glycoproteins, i.e. the classical CEA-180, biliary glycoprotein (BGP), and non-specific crossreacting antigens (NCA). The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of the respective glycoproteins of the CEA family in sweat gland neoplasms, as compared to normal sweat glands. A panel of mono-specific antibodies was applied to a total of 83 samples of hyperplastic and cystic alterations of sweat glands, sweat gland neoplasms, and cutaneous metastases of different origin. Within a single group of neoplasms the immunohistochemical profile was rather consistent. Staining for both CEA-180 and NCA-90 indicated ductal differentiation of both eccrine and apocrine glands. Co-expression of CEA-180, NCA-90, and BGP was consistent with differentiation towards the secretory part of eccrine glands or the transitional portion of proximal ducts. Neoplasms with signs of apocrine secretion showed a preferential immunoreactivity for NCA-90 and BGP. In conclusion, a specification of the members of the CEA family may be of some value in the differential diagnosis of adnexal neoplasms, but not in the discrimination of sweat gland carcinoma from metastatic carcinoma.

Glycoproteins of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family are expressed in sweat and sebaceous glands of human fetal and adult skin

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family comprises a group of glycoproteins including the classical CEA, nonspecific cross-reacting antigens (NCA), and biliary glycoprotein (BGP). CEA glycoproteins have been identified in many glandular and mucosal tissues. In view of their putative role in cell adhesion, protein sorting, and signal transduction, CEA glycoproteins are thought to be involved in embryogenesis, architectual integrity, and secretory mechanisms of glandular epithelia. Since there are few data available on the expression of CEA-like proteins in human skin, the aim of this study was to immunohistochemically specify and localize the CEA glycoproteins in cutaneous adult and fetal glands using a panel of well-characterized antibodies. The secretory parts of eccrine sweat glands expressed CEA, NCA-90, and BGP, whereas apocrine glands remained unreactive for CEA glycoproteins. The ductal epithelia of both eccrine and apocrine glands contained CEA and NCA-90. Sebaceous glands were stained for BGP only. Electron microscopy of sweat glands showed CEA glycoprotein expression in cytoplasmic organelles and on microvilli lining the ductal surface. In sebaceous glands, BGP were demonstrated in small vesicles and along the cell membranes of differentiating sebocytes. Fetal development of cutaneous glands was associated with early expression of CEA glycoproteins. Additionally, mice transgenic for human CEA were shown to express CEA in sweat glands. The overall distribution of CEA glycoproteins in cutaneous glands was consistent with that in epithelia of other glandular tissues.