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Syndecan-1 expression is decreased with increasing aggressiveness of basal cell carcinoma
I B Bayer-Garner1, B Dilday, R D Sanderson
1Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
Abstract:
Syndecans, a family of cell-surface proteoglycans of which syndecan-1 is the prototypical member, play an important role in limiting tumor growth and invasive capacity through their actions as receptors for growth factors and extracellular matrix. Cutaneous biopsy specimens of basal cell carcinoma, including superficial, nodular, infiltrative, and morpheic subtypes, were assessed regarding the pattern of syndecan-1 expression. We found that with increasing aggressiveness of basal cell carcinomas, syndecan-1 expression is lost from the surface of the neoplastic cells. However, within the dermis, which is normally devoid of syndecan-1 expression, immunopositivity for syndecan-1 is present in areas adjacent to aggressive tumors. This pattern of staining indicates that syndecan-1 expression is produced by stromal cells rather than being shed by the carcinoma cells into the stroma.
Insights
Syndecan-1 is lost from aggressive basal cell carcinoma cells but present in surrounding stromal cells. This suggests stromal cells, not tumor cells, produce syndecan-1 in advanced skin cancers.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cancer Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Syndecans, cell-surface proteoglycans, regulate tumor growth and invasion.
- Syndecan-1 is a key member of this family, acting as a receptor for growth factors and extracellular matrix components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression pattern of syndecan-1 in different subtypes of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
- To determine the cellular source of syndecan-1 in the tumor microenvironment of BCC.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of syndecan-1 expression in cutaneous biopsy specimens of various BCC subtypes.
- Assessment of syndecan-1 localization on neoplastic cells and in the adjacent dermal stroma.
Main Results:
- Syndecan-1 expression was progressively lost from the surface of neoplastic cells as BCC aggressiveness increased.
- Immunopositivity for syndecan-1 was observed in the dermal stroma adjacent to aggressive BCCs, areas normally devoid of expression.
Conclusions:
- The loss of syndecan-1 on tumor cells correlates with increased BCC aggressiveness.
- Stromal cells, rather than carcinoma cells, are the source of syndecan-1 in the microenvironment of aggressive basal cell carcinomas.