Factor XIIIa-positive dendrocytes and proliferative activity of cutaneous cancers

Abstract

Factor XIIIa-positive dendrocytes present at the periphery and inside epithelial neoplasms are an heterogeneous group of cells. They are subsets of mesenchymal cells, cancer-associated macrophages and antigen-presenting cells. Factor XIIIa, other tissue transglutaminases, alpha 2-macroglobulin and tumour necrosis factor-alpha represent a complex network of mediators influencing tumour progression in the skin. In the present study we searched for the presence of dendrocytes and alpha 2-macroglobulin deposits inside and in the vicinity of cutaneous carcinomas (90 basal cell carcinomas and 46 squamous cell carcinomas) and malignant melanomas (69 primary and 28 metastatic tumours). We also studied the proliferation of the same neoplasms by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. Dendrocytes were numerous, abutting on and infiltrating most basal cell carcinomas and thin malignant melanomas. In contrast, they were present in only low numbers or even absent in thick primary malignant melanomas and in their metastases. They appeared unmodified around squamous cell carcinomas compared with the surrounding skin. Extracellular deposits of alpha 2-macroglobulin were often found in locations where dermal dendrocytes were numerous. No correlation was found between the Ki-67 indices of carcinomas and the density of peritumoral dendrocytes. In contrast, negative relationships were found between the Ki-67 indices and the number of dendrocytes present inside basal cell carcinomas and thin malignant melanomas. This study has yielded circumstantial evidence to link the density of factor XIIIa-positive dendritic cells and a low proliferative rate of neoplastic cells in basal cell carcinomas and malignant melanomas.

Molecular mapping of Factor XIIIa-enriched dendrocytes in the skin (Review)

“…Such cells are often negative for conventional macrophage markers such as CD68. In our experience, Factor XIIIa + DD are numerous, abutting on and infiltrating most basal cell carcinomas and thin malignant melanomas (108). In contrast, they were present in only low numbers or even absent in thick primary malignant melanomas and their metastases (109)(110)(111).…”

“…This is also the case in desmoplastic neoplasms (107). Increased numbers of Factor XIIIa + cells are often found at the base or surrounding most invasive cutaneous neoplasms (108)(109)(110). Such cells are often negative for conventional macrophage markers such as CD68.…”

Ação da pentoxifilina nos dendrócitos dérmicos FXIIIa de placas de psoríase

“…18,19 Grande número de DDs pode ser encontrado em processos destrutivos do epitélio 20 -em lesões tumorais ou de grande remodelação, principalmente pela quimiotaxia autócrina (célula Fator XIIIa+) e parácrina (fibroblastos) dos monócitos circulantes que proliferam e se diferenciam localmente. 21 Os dendrócitos dérmicos FXIIIa+ mostram íntima relação com os mastócitos e com linfócitos migratórios.…”

Molecular pathways supporting the proliferation staging of malignant melanoma (Review)

“…There is ample evidence that the size of the MM germinative compartment is indicative of the neoplastic progression (6,8,(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26). A landmark study was performed 25 years ago using incorporations of tritiated thymidine (17).…”

“…The MM growth fraction appears to be influenced by the intratumoral and peritumoral infiltration by Factor XIIIapositive dendrocytes (21,29). There is circumstantial evidence linking the density of Factor XIIIa-positive dendrocytes and a low proliferative rate in MM cells.…”