Immunohistochemical analysis of platelet‐derived growth factor and its receptors in fibrohistiocytic tumors

Abstract

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is known to stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts, although the role of PDGF and its receptors in the development of fibrohistiocytic tumors has not been clarified. In this study, we investigated this role by immunohistochemically staining PDGF and PDGF beta-receptors in paraffin-embedded dermatofibroma (DF), dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) tissue. We also immunohistochemically investigated the relationship between PDGF beta-receptors and CD34, which is a known immunohistochemical marker for DFSP. Immunohistochemical studies using anti-PDGF-AA or BB antibodies showed that PDGF-AA and BB was found in 20 to 40% of the tumor cells in DF, DFSP, and MFH. No definite relationship for each tumor type was found. The expression of PDGF beta-receptors in DFSP and that of MFH tissue was significantly greater in comparison to DF and scar tissue. The expression of CD34 and PDGF beta-receptors in DFSP was observed in identical areas. These findings suggest that autocrine or paracrine growth stimulation, through PDGF beta-receptors, is related to the tumorous proliferation of fibrohistiocytic tumors, and the expression of PDGF beta-receptors might play a role in the proliferation of CD34 positive tumor cells.

Expression of embryonic stem cell markers SOX2 and nestin in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and dermatofibroma

“…DFSP has a known cytogenetic translocation involving chromosomes 17 and 22 that triggers autocrine overproduction of the platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) β‐chain 20–22 . The expression of PDGF β‐receptors and CD34 is observed in identical areas of DFSP, suggesting that PDGF β‐receptors may play a role in the proliferation of CD34‐positive tumor cells 23 . Intriguingly, neuroprogenitor cells located in the subventricular zone of mice not only express PDGF β‐receptors but also nestin, 24 and at least some primitive neuroectodermal tumors in humans coexpress both the proteins 25 .…”

Platelet‐derived growth factor receptor alpha mutational status and immunohistochemical expression in Merkel cell carcinoma: implications for treatment with imatinib mesylate

“…Activating mutations in the C‐KIT proto‐oncogene and the PDGFRA gene are mutually exclusive events in GIST having similar biological consequences 8 . The PDGFRA is widely expressed in human tissue 38 and has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of both solid and hematologic malignancies. The present study was carried out to determine whether PDGFRA gene mutations might be present in MCC and to determine if the PDGFRA is expressed in those same MCCs.…”

PDGF-A, PDGF-Rβ, TGFβ3 and bone morphogenic protein-4 in desmoplastic small round cell tumors with EWS-WT1 gene fusion product and their role in stromal desmoplasia: an immunohistochemical study

“…Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, bone marrow, salivary gland, fetal brain, and cartilage were used as positive controls for PDGFA, PDGF-Rb, TGFb3 and BMP4 accordingly. [18][19][20][21][22] A negative control was performed on each case by replacing the primary antibodies with mouse or rabbit serum. Immunoreactivity was evaluated semiquantitatively for the percentage of positive tumor cells and the intensity of the immunoreactivity (0-3 þ ) in the neoplastic cells.…”