thromboplastin and Sarcoma--Kaposi

We studied seven cases of Kaposi's sarcomas (KS) obtained from patients with AIDS and one KS from a patient without HIV infection. Antigen expression was studied by immunocytochemistry and mRNA expression by in situ hybridisation. The markers tested were endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1, thrombomodulin, and tissue factor. In all tumors (AIDS and non-AIDS associated) these markers reacted positive, indicating transcription and translation of these genes in KS. The synthesis and expression of tissue factor and thrombomodulin suggests that KS is a tumor that has tissue factor-mediated thrombin formation under the control of thrombomodulin. The expression of thrombomodulin and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 provides evidence for the vascular origin of KS.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Blood Vessels; Cell Adhesion; Cell Adhesion Molecules; E-Selectin; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; In Situ Hybridization; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Thrombomodulin; Thromboplastin