CD105/endoglin expression in Gorham disease of bone

Area of Science:

• Bone pathology
• Vascular biology
• Immunohistochemistry

Background:

• Gorham disease is a rare condition causing progressive bone destruction due to vascular proliferation.
• It affects both bone and soft tissues with haematic and lymphatic origins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression of CD105 (endoglin), a marker for vascular endothelial cells, in Gorham disease of bone.
• To compare CD105 expression in Gorham disease with conventional bone hemangiomas and normal bone tissues.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on four Gorham disease bone samples.
• Comparative analysis included eight conventional bone hemangioma samples and normal fetal/adult bone tissues.
• Proliferative activity was assessed using MIB-1 immunostaining.

Main Results:

• Gorham disease showed significantly higher CD105 expression in endothelial cells compared to conventional bone hemangioma (58.9% vs 17.2%).
• CD105 was highly expressed in metabolically active bone areas (fetal ossification zones, young adult growth plates).
• A direct correlation was found between MIB-1 proliferative activity and CD105 vessel percentage (r=0.681, p=0.01).

Conclusions:

• The proliferating endothelial cells in Gorham disease resemble those in metabolically active bone with high CD105 expression.
• Conventional bone hemangiomas exhibit CD105 expression similar to quiescent bone tissue.
• These findings suggest potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications for CD105 in Gorham disease.