[Expression of nerve growth factor-receptor in normal skin and melanocytic tumor]

Immunohistochemical localization of nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor in normal skin and melanocytic tumor was analysed using monoclonal antibody. In normal skin and fetal skin NGF receptor was good marker for cutaneous nerve sheath and schwann cells. In melanocytic lineage, the NGF receptor was not expressed in fetal, normal and dermal melanocyte and weakly positive in only small part of nevus cell nest. Positive staining was seen in primary and metastatic melanoma lesion and restricted to melanoma cell membrane. The distribution of the receptor suggests that the NGF-receptor may be involved in the control of proliferation and malignant transformation in melanocytic lineage.