Lectin-binding Affinities of Human Epidermal Tumors and Related Conditions

Abstract

Paraffin-embedded sections from a variety of epidermal lesions were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled concanavalin A and examined by a fluorescence microscope. Seventy-six normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic tissues were examined. Lectin binding was demonstrated in all malignant tumors, the fluorescence being confined to the plasma membrane of the tumor cells. Normal and hyperplastic tissues either failed to stain or showed a grossly diminished level of fluorescence. The distinction between malignant and normal of hyperplastic cells was clear-cut and definite.

Wheat Germ and Peanut Agglutinin Binding to Normal, Dysplastic and Neoplastic Cervical Epithelium

“…WGA to P-D-glucose, and PNA to P-D-galactose. This study has revealed that the binding of WGA and PNA by atypical and malignant cervical squamous epithelium is increased in comparison with normal epi thelium, thus confirming that a general trend of higher affinity to lectins in neoplasia [12][13][14] is applicable to the uterine cervix and may be of some practical value.…”

“…Increased affinity of cancer cells to lectins has been already proven biologically [2,5,[9][10][11] and histochcmically [12][13][14], The latter method is based on the labelling of lectins with fluorescein isothiocyanatc (FITC), per oxidase, or avidin-biotin peroxidase complex [15], Immunohistochemical studies revealed that WGA and PNA show in malignancy a binding pattern different front that seen in respective normal tissues. WGA binding was studied in endometrium [16], stomach [17], and breast [18]; while PNA binding was de termined in urinary bladder [19,20], breast [21,22], gastric and intestinal mucosa [17,23,24], No data on lectin binding to cervical epithelium have been reported.…”

Age-Related Alterations in the Carbohydrate Residue Composition of the Cell Surface in the Unexposed Normal Human Epidermis

“…Very few histochemical studies have been performed so far on the lectin-binding profile of normal human epidermis [4][5][6][7][8]. Since their results are mostly controversial the carbohydrate residue composition of cell surface in normal human epidermis still remains in dispute.…”

“…due to differences in the techniques used and the heterogeneity of the clinical material investigated [4][5][6][7][8]. Since, to the best of our knowledge, age has never be considered in the evaluation of the results of these studies, we found it of interest to attempt to answer the question whether the carbohydrate residue composition of the cell surface in the unexposed normal human epidermis reveals agedependent differences.…”

Lectin-binding abnormalities in the stromal and epithelial components of basal cell carcinoma

“…In the case of keratinocyte tumours, there is currently a single report of the binding of Concanavalin A to fixed and paraffin embedded tissue (Louis et al, 1981). This paper describes the binding profile of a wide range of lectins to frozen sections of basal cell carcinoma: alterations were detected in the epithelium, stroma and basement membrane zone.…”