BACKGROUNDPleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common tumor of the salivary gland, while basal cell adenoma (BCA) is an uncommon neoplasm. Blood and lymphatic vessels are crucial for tumor metabolism. The aim of this study was to compare the blood and lymphatic vascular density and vascular and endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in PA and BCA tumors. In addition, cell proliferation was evaluated in these tumors.METHODSBlood and lymphatic vessel content, VEGF expression, and cell proliferation were analyzed in 30 cases of PA and 13 cases of BCA by immu-nohistochemistry using antibodies for CD34, CD105, D2–40, VEGF, and Mcm−2.RESULTSRegarding CD34 and CD105 expression, PA demonstrated a high vascularity and a low number of positive vessels, respectively. D2–40-positive lymphatic vessels were mainly located in the tumor capsules, with small intratumoral lymphatic vessels observed occasionally. VEGF expression revealed a remarkably heterogeneous immunoreactivity, alternating from weak or negative to positive or intense. BCA presented significantly higher CD34, CD34, CD105, D2–40, and VEGF expression compared to PA. No significant difference was found in cell proliferation between the tumors.CONCLUSIONAlthough PA and BCA are considered part of the same spectrum of differentiation, this study showed that the blood and lymphatic vascularization of these tumors is different.
Endoglin, known to be expressed in proliferating vessels, is of worth when evaluating microvessel density as a prognostic factor in many types of malignancies, including some subtypes of leukemia cells. In childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, endoglin is associated with adverse outcome. In bone marrow, endoglin identifies the repopulating hematopoietic stem cells. Mast cells are a component of normal tissue and play an important role in the regulation of several processes, including inflammation and neoplasia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of endoglin as a biological marker of mast cells compared with the gold standard stains. We studied 15 specimens of neurofibroma, 9 of mastocytosis, and 6 of fibrous scar tissue through immunohistochemistry (for endoglin and mast cell tryptase) and histochemical staining using toluidine blue. Quantitative analysis of the cells was performed by counting 5 hotspots. The validity of endoglin as a mast cell marker was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare mast cell count for each marker. A strong endoglin expression was found in the cytoplasmic granules of mast cells within the 3 groups. Similar results were observed with mast cell tryptase as well as toluidine blue. The intraclass correlation coefficient revealed that endoglin is a highly reliable biomarker of mast cells when compared with mast cell tryptase and toluidine blue. In conclusion, endoglin may assist in the diagnosis and pathogenesis study of various processes associated with mast cells. An endoglin-neutralizing treatment for solid cancers and leukemia could also affect mastocytes and the immunologic system.
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