Expression of melanocyte-associated markers gp-100 and Melan-A/MART-1 in angiomyolipomas: An immunohistochemical and rt-PCR analysis Journal Article


Authors: Jungbluth, A. A.; Iversen, K.; Coplan, K.; Williamson, B.; Chen, Y. T.; Stockert, E.; Old, L. J.; Busam, K. J.
Article Title: Expression of melanocyte-associated markers gp-100 and Melan-A/MART-1 in angiomyolipomas: An immunohistochemical and rt-PCR analysis
Abstract: Angiomyolipomas are tumours of uncertain histogenesis, most often occurring in association with the kidney. A characteristic finding is their reactivity with HMB-45, a monoclonal antibody to the melanocyte-associated antigen gp-100. We tested 18 angiomyolipomas for their reactivity with A103, a monoclonal antibody to Melan-A (MART-1), another melanocyte-associated marker, and compared it with HMB-45. All cases were positive with both antibodies, yet most cases showed a more homogeneous staining pattern with A103. Normal kidney was immunohistochemically negative for both antibodies. We also performed RT-PCR assays for gp-100 and Melan-A in 4 of the 18 angiomyolipoma samples and in three normal kidney samples. All 4 angiomyolipoma specimens revealed mRNA for both melanocyte differentiation markers. gp-100 mRNA was found in the samples of normal kidney, but Melan-A mRNA was not. Our study shows that angiomyolipomas express the melanocyte-associated antigens Melan-A and gp-100 at the protein and at the mRNA level, suggesting a true expression of these antigens rather than cross-reacting epitopes. Based on the mRNA expression pattern, immunohistochemical analysis is the preferred method for the detection of gp-100, while Melan-A can be used at the protein and mRNA levels. Our study demonstrates that A103 is a useful marker for the diagnosis of angiomyolipomas.
Keywords: immunohistochemistry; clinical article; controlled study; human tissue; unclassified drug; liver neoplasms; antigen expression; glycoprotein gp 100; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; melanocyte; melanocytes; neoplasm proteins; tumor markers, biological; tumor marker; kidney neoplasms; monoclonal antibody; antigens, neoplasm; messenger rna; reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; membrane glycoproteins; angiomyolipoma; epitope; melan a; cell marker; cross reaction; glycoprotein; staining and labeling; humans; human; priority journal; article; cell antigen; a103; melan-a/mart-1; gp-100; hmb45
Journal Title: Virchows Archiv
Volume: 434
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0945-6317
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 1999-05-01
Start Page: 429
End Page: 435
Language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s004280050362
PUBMED: 10389626
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 16 August 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Achim Jungbluth
    455 Jungbluth
  2. Klaus J Busam
    688 Busam
  3. Lloyd J Old
    593 Old
  4. Keren Anne Coplan
    42 Coplan
  5. Kristin A Iversen
    58 Iversen