The Immunohistochemical Study of bcl-2 and p53 Expression of Pilomatricoma

Min, Kyung Sik; Shin, Jong Hoon; Lee, Ho Gyun; Kim, Jong Min

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of pilomatricoma is unknown. Several reports have suggested that apoptosis may play a role in the pathogenesis of pilomatricoma. As the bcl-2 and p53 are well-known regulators of apoptosis, a disturbance in either bcl-2 or p53 could compromise a proper apoptotic response and relate to the development of the tumor.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of bcl-2 and p53 proteins in pilomatricoma.
METHODS
Paraffin blocks of 14 cases of pilomatricoma were stained immunohistochemically by using anti-bcl-2 and anti-p53 antibodies.
RESULTS
1. Histologically, SCs were found in all 14 pilomatricomas, while BCs and TCs were found each in 9 tumors. 2. All the SCs found in 14 tumors and all the TCs found in 9 tumors were unstained for both bcl-2 and p53. 3. The expression of bcl-2 in 9 tumors was variable. Basal BCs showed reactivity from negativity(-) to strong positivity(+++) and suprabasal BCs showed reativity from negativity(-) to moderately strong(++) positivity. Both basal BCs and suprabasal BCs showed negativity for bcl-2 in 3 tumors and similar positive staining in 1 tumor, while basal BCs showed stonger positivity than suprabasal BCs in 5 tumors. 4. The expression of p53 in 9 tumors was also variable. Both basal BCs and suprabasal BCs showed reactivity from negativity(-) to moderately strong positivity(++). Both basal BCs and suprabasal BCs showed negativity for p53 in 1 tumor and similar positive staining in 6 tumors, while suprabasal BCs showed stronger positivity than basal BCs in 2 tumors.
CONCLUSION
The above immunohistochemical findings showed that the expression of bcl-2 and p53 was variable and suggest that both bcl-2 and p53 have a limited role in the control of apoptosis in pilomatricoma.