The L1 antigen and squamous metaplasia in the bladder

The L1 antigen was investigated as a marker of squamous differentiation in urothelium using a monoclonal antibody Mac387, and the results were compared with the expression of high molecular weight cytokeratins. L1 antigen was consistently demonstrated in all instances of partial and complete squamous metaplasia and in squamous carcinomas. In contrast, pure transitional cell carcinomas (except one with minor focal staining), adenocarcinomas and normal and hyperplastic urothelium did not label. In a few squamous carcinomas in situ, the pattern of labelling obtained with Mac387 was different from that seen in invasive squamous carcinomas and metaplasias. Compared with high molecular weight cytokeratins, the expression of L1 was more intense in areas of squamous differentiation. L1 expression, as identified by antibody Mac387, may therefore serve as a useful marker of squamous differentiation in urothelial lesions.