Eosinophilic Cytoplasmic Inclusion Bodies in Vesicular Multinucleated Melanocytes

Abstract

Different types of multinucleated melanocytes have been described in benign and malignant melanocytic lesions. Here we describe a relatively common, though underappreciated, type of multinucleated melanocyte characterized by abundant vesicular and fibrillary-appearing cytoplasm containing one or multiple eosinophilic inclusion bodies. In our experience, these vesicular multinucleated melanocytes with inclusion bodies are invariably seen in nevi of long duration. The presence of these cells can be a reassuring histological finding when evaluating a melanocytic lesion.

Mitotic Stress Is an Integral Part of the Oncogene-Induced Senescence Program that Promotes Multinucleation and Cell Cycle Arrest

“…Senescent cells within benign and/or early-stage neoplasia are at some risk of progression to malignancy if the senescence barrier is breached ( Braig et al., 2005; Chen et al., 2005; Collado et al., 2005; Michaloglou et al., 2005 ). In this regard, human benign melanocytic nevi, neoplastic lesions of the skin composed largely of OIS melanocytes harboring activated NRAS or BRAF oncogenes ( Gray-Schopfer et al., 2006; Michaloglou et al., 2005 ), frequently contain multinucleate melanocytes ( Berlingeri-Ramos et al., 2010; Leopold and Richards, 1967; Patino et al., 2012; Savchenko, 1988 ). Multinucleate senescent melanocytes may harbor genome instability, a risk factor for malignancy ( Fox and Duronio, 2013 ), and these cells have been proposed to give rise to highly proliferative, tumor-initiating stem-like cells ( Leikam et al., 2015 ).…”

Macrophage and Multinucleated Giant Cell Classification

“…Multinucleated hepatocytes are found in neonatal giant cell hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis [169,170]. Multinucleated melanocytes found in nevi and melanomas are described as having a balloon appearance due to large vacuoles or a starburst appearance due to nuclear arrangement in lentigo maligna [171,172]. Reed-Sternberg cells are pathognomonic for Hodgkin's lymphoma and are formed by multinucleation of the B cell-derived Hodgkin cell [173].…”