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E-cadherin is expressed by mono- and multinucleated histiocytes in cutaneous sarcoidal and foreign body granulomas. Am J Dermatopathol 2014 Aug;36(8):651-4

Date

05/31/2013

Pubmed ID

23719484

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3773293

DOI

10.1097/DAD.0b013e31828de7e0

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84905082450 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   14 Citations

Abstract

E-cadherin, a member of the cadherin family of transmembrane adhesion receptors, is critical for cutaneous barrier function, as it promotes keratinocyte and Langerhans cell adhesion in the epidermis. Recent murine models of chronic inflammation identified new E-cadherin expressing subsets of mononuclear phagocytes, including alternatively activated macrophages and selected inflammatory dendritic cells. It has been shown in vitro that expression of E-cadherin by murine macrophages promotes their homotypic aggregation and fusion to multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs), a signature cell type of granulomatous inflammation. The purpose of this study was to assess E-cadherin expression on histiocytes and giant cells in cutaneous granulomas in humans. E-cadherin expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded skin biopsies of foreign body granulomas (n = 21) and sarcoidosis (n = 21). The results showed consistent membranous E-cadherin staining pattern on mononucleated histiocytes and MNGCs in both granuloma types. These E-cadherin expressing histiocytes are distinct from dermal Langerhans cells because they lacked CD1a expression. Our findings suggest that E-cadherin expressing mononuclear histiocytes are likely precursors for MNGCs in cutaneous granulomas and may play a critical role in disease pathogenesis.

Author List

Wanat KA, Rosenbach M, Zoiber AF, Zhang PJ, Schaffer A

Author

Karolyn A. Wanat MD Chair, Professor in the Dermatology department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Antigens, CD
Antigens, CD1
Biomarkers
Biopsy
Cadherins
Giant Cells
Granuloma, Foreign-Body
Histiocytes
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Sarcoidosis
Skin
Skin Diseases