Histogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma: what is its origin? (Meeting abstract).

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Histogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma: what is its origin? (Meeting abstract).

Melanoma Res; 3:32-3 1993. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/95607277
Orfanos CE; Wille S; Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of Steglitz,; The Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Abstract: Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV-infected individuals develops multicentrically, arising from cells of microvascular origin. Histologically, the tumor lesions express varying levels of differentiation, showing partly incomplete vascular lumina with endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, filled with erythrocytes, mostly surrounded by an inflammatory lymphocytic infiltrate. On the other hand, nodular KS lesions develop in late stages of tumor dissemination composed of spindle-like cells, with or without atypia. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed proliferating cells with ultrastructural features suggesting endothelial origin, but in addition, pericyte-like cells were found. Immunohistochemical investigations with EC-specific antigens (factor VIII-related antigen, BMA-120, EN-4, PAL-E, 1F10, Ulex europaeus ao), endothelial-cell-associated adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, ELAM-1, PECAM-1, GMP-140) and other antigens (S-100, CD16, HLA-DR, MAC 387) revealed that cells of dermal microvascular walls are proliferating in KS, most likely deriving both from blood and lymph vessels. F VIIIrAg, EN-4, 1F-10 and A10-33/1 showed some differences between endothelium-like cells and spindle cells in KS, after semiquantitative evaluation. Also, staining with PAL-E was lacking in some cases. ICAM-1 and ELAM-1 were clearly less expressed in KS infiltrates than in normal vessels; also, varying VCAM-1 and PECAM-1 expression was found. HLA-DR expression was definitely present in all types of KS lesions. These findings indicate that important endothelial markers are present in KS cells but they appear less expressed in late KS lesions with nodular spindle cell infiltration. Overall, the cellular immunophenotype of the tumor is inconsistent, possibly representing varying cell populations from blood and lymph vessels or varying levels of malignant transformation.

Keywords: Antigens, Surface/IMMUNOLOGY/*METABOLISM Cell Adhesion Molecules/IMMUNOLOGY/*METABOLISM Human Immunohistochemistry Immunophenotyping Microscopy, Electron Sarcoma, Kaposi's/IMMUNOLOGY/*PATHOLOGY/ULTRASTRUCTURE ABSTRACT
950630
M9561166

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