concanavalin-a and Keratosis

Seventy-six skin biopsies of proliferative lesions were studied by using 4 different lectins and an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex. In solar keratosis, Bowen's disease and squamous cell carcinoma, malignant-appearing keratinocytes exhibited loss of membrane staining with Concanavalia ensiformis agglutinin (Con A), but revealed cytoplasmic staining. When incubated with peanut agglutinin (PNA), the malignant keratinocytes did not stain. However, the PNA binding sites were not absent, but masked by sialic acid. Following cleavage of the sialic acid with neuraminidase, free PNA binding sites could be demonstrated in the plasma membranes. In contrast, the keratinocytes in keratoacanthomas showed membrane staining with Con A and also contained free PNA binding sites. These histochemical findings confirm and extend our earlier observations regarding cell surface carbohydrates in premalignant and malignant epidermal lesions.

Topics: ABO Blood-Group System; Binding Sites; Bowen's Disease; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Membrane; Concanavalin A; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Keratins; Keratosis; Lectins; Neuraminic Acids; Peanut Agglutinin; Plant Lectins; Skin; Skin Neoplasms; Sunlight; Wheat Germ Agglutinins

Mannose-containing of glycoproteins from lesional tissue of several diseases of aberrant epidermal differentiation (palmar-plantar keratoderma, pachyonychia congenita, psoriasis, and epidermolytic hyperkeratosis) were analyzed by overlaying iodinated concanavalin A onto molecules separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Gel autoradiograms showed that biopsy samples from patients with the same disease were very similar. The radioactivity profiles were different for each disease and were distinguishable from each other and from normal epidermis and callus. The resolution and sensitivity of this technique may be of diagnostic significance.

Topics: Cell Differentiation; Concanavalin A; Epidermal Cells; Epidermis; Glycoproteins; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Keratoderma, Palmoplantar; Keratosis; Nail Diseases; Psoriasis; Skin Diseases

Three cell surface parameters of epidermal cells have been studied by immunofluorescence, pemphigus antigens, concanavalin-A binding sugars, and beta 2 microglobulin. Biopsy specimens were taken from a total of 59 patients with psoriasis, seborrheic and solar keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell epithelioma. We found a loss of demonstrability of all parameters in dedifferentiated tumors or tumor areas in squamous cell carcinoma, premonitory changes in solar keratosis, and no changes in seborrheic keratosis. In the psoriatic epidermis a granular redistribution of the cell surface parameters was occasionally observed in circumscribed areas of the epidermis. A selective loss of the demonstrability of beta 2 microglobulin was the prominent feature in basal cell epithelioma. Our findings demonstrate that the alterations of the cell surface differ in malignant and premalignant skin tumors, in basal cell epithelioma, and in benign psoriatic hyperplasia.

Topics: Antigens; beta 2-Microglobulin; Beta-Globulins; Binding Sites; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Concanavalin A; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Keratosis; Pemphigus; Precancerous Conditions; Psoriasis; Skin Neoplasms