Ann Dermatol.  2009 Nov;21(4):382-388. 10.5021/ad.2009.21.4.382.

The Expression of NMDA Receptor 1 Correlates with Clinicopathological Parameters in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Kang M
• Cho JH
• Koo JK
• Noh SU
• Kim MY
• Kang H
• Oh ST
• Kim HO
• Park YM

• KMID: 2156501
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2009.21.4.382

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Ionotropic glutamate receptors of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) type are expressed on keratinocytes and play a role in the proliferation, differentiation, and cornification of keratinocytes. However, the expression profile of NMDAR and its role in cutaneous malignancy is unclear.
OBJECTIVE
We analyzed the expression of NMDAR-1 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and investigated the relationship between NMDAR-1 expression and clinicopathological parameters.
METHODS
Thirty-two patients with biopsy-proven cutaneous SCC were enrolled in this study. Each patient was analyzed for tumor diameter, location, local recurrence, and metastasis by conducting a chart review. The SCC specimens were histologically divided into differentiated and undifferentiated groups based on Broders' system. NMDAR-1 expression was examined by performing immunohistochemistry, and the relative staining intensity in the SCCs was graded into 5 levels. According to the staining intensity of NMDAR-1, the specimens were categorized into two groups: the higher group and the lower group.
RESULTS
Fifteen (88%) of 17 tumors in the higher group were differentiated SCC, whereas 14 (93%) of 15 tumors in the lower group were undifferentiated SCC. In addition, NMDAR-1 expression was inversely correlated with metastasis (p=0.049). Local recurrence was associated with a lower staining intensity, but the results were not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrate that NMDAR-1 expression in cutaneous SCC is significantly correlated with its differentiation and metastasis. Therefore, it may be a prognostic indicator for cutaneous SCC.

Keyword

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; Differentiation; Metastasis; N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Keratinocytes
N-Methylaspartate
Neoplasm Metastasis
Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate
Recurrence
N-Methylaspartate
Receptors, Ionotropic Glutamate

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Western blot analysis of human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) for NMDAR-1.

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  Fig. 2 The expression of NMDAR-1 in cutaneous SCC. (A) Immunohistochemistry of NMDAR-1 in the surrounding normal epidermis of the SCC specimen used as the positive control, (B) Negative control; ×100, (C, D) Differentiated SCC with considerably higher expression of NMDAR-1, (E, F) Well- to poorly differentiated SCC with localized expression of NMDAR-1 in differentiated areas, (G, H) Undifferentiated SCC with completely negative expression of NMDAR-1 (C, E, G: Immunohistochemical staining for NMDAR-1; D, F, H: H&E, ×100).

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