Published papers

Substance P (SP) is a multipotent neuropeptide that affects the proliferation, activation and motility of keratinocytes and fibroblasts (Fbs). SP in pulmonary and synovial cells is degraded by CD10, a 90- to 110-kDa cell surface zinc-dependent metalloprotease. However, the expression and function of CD10 in human dermal Fbs have not yet been investigated in vivo and in vitro specifically with reference to SP. Our immunohistologic study revealed moderate to strong fibroblastic CD10 expression in the majority of psoriasis vulgaris (16/16), chronic eczema (15/16), lichen planus (18/20) and atopic dermatitis (4/5). Keratinocytes showed no CD10 expression in vivo and in vitro. Cultured Fbs constitutively expressed CD10 and SP. CD10 expression was augmented by external interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-22, but not by IL-8 and IL-17A in Fbs. SP production was enhanced in CD10 knockdown-Fbs (CD10ND-Fbs) compared with control-Fbs. In the presence of IL-1beta or IL-22, the enhancement of SP production was more prominent in CD10ND-Fbs than in control-Fbs, suggesting the down-modulating activity of CD10 on SP in cytokine-mediated inflammation. In conclusion, fibroblastic CD10 expression may down-regulate skin inflammation by degrading SP or reducing its level in the dermal microenvironment.

BACKGROUND: Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein-1 (SATB1), a new type of gene regulator, has been reported to be expressed in several human cancers and may have malignant potential. However, no data on SATB1 expression and its relationship to tumor progression in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) has yet been reported. OBJECTIVE: We examined the immunohistochemical expression of SATB1 in CMM to determine whether it could serve as a prognostic marker. METHODS: A total of 97 samples of primary CMM and controls were immunostained for SATB1. The following clinicopathologic variables were evaluated: age, gender, subtype, SATB1 expression, Breslow thickness, Clark level, presence of ulceration, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and survival. Statistical analyses were performed to assess for associations. Several parameters were analyzed for survival using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional-hazards model. RESULTS: Forty cases (85.1%) of CMM showed positive staining for SATB1 by immunohistochemistry. The intensity of SATB1 staining was significantly higher in CMM than in nevus NV and normal skin (NS) (P < 0.01). High SATB1 expression was significantly correlated with Breslow thickness, Clark level, mortality, presence of ulceration, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that SATB1 overexpression was significantly associated with worse survival (P < 0.01). Further univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis indicated that SATB1 expression was an independent prognostic marker for CMM (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The overexpression of SATB1 correlated with metastatic potential of CMM and is a novel independent prognostic marker for predicting outcome.

BACKGROUND: The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is one of the major cascades that are crucial for the initiation and progression of melanoma; however, the influence of these signaling molecules on patient survival has not been clarified. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the protein expression of MAPK signaling molecules in melanoma, and to correlate the expression status with clinicopathologic parameters. METHODS: Expression of c-Kit, phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK), and cyclin D1 was examined by immunohistochemistry in 78 primary melanomas, 24 metastatic lesions, and in 42 benign nevi. The following clinicopathologic variables were evaluated: age, gender, histologic type, tumor site, Breslow thickness, Clark's level, ulceration, and survival period. Statistical analyses were performed for assessment of associations and melanoma-specific survival. RESULTS: The expression of c-Kit, p-ERK, and cyclin D1 was significantly higher in primary melanomas than in nevi. c-Kit immunoreactivity was highest in thin (Tis-pT2) melanomas, and showed a significant reduction with tumor progression and metastasis. The expression of p-ERK was high in all stages of melanoma. Cyclin D1 positivity increased significantly according to tumor progression, but decreased in metastases. A significant correlation between p-ERK and cyclin D1 expression was observed. Survival analysis failed to detect any trends towards shorter or longer survival among patients expressing either c-Kit, p-ERK or cyclin D1. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of c-Kit, p-ERK, and cyclin D1 might help to differentiate thin melanoma from melanocytic nevus, but it appears to lack prognostic potential.