Abstract
BackgroundCytokeratins with epitopes in common with those of alpha (acidic and basic) mammalian keratins have been immunohistochemically demonstrated in the epidermis of reptiles. However, there are no reports of immunohistochemical staining patterns of alpha-keratins in other tissues from reptiles. Because the epithelial tumours usually retain the keratin patterns of their normal epithelial origin, it is necessary to know in advance these patterns in the major normal epithelia and organs. We used anti-alpha human keratin AE1 and AE3 monoclonal antibodies to study the staining patterns of alpha-keratins in the major normal epithelia and organs from two reptile species [the bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)]. We also studied the immunolocalization of alpha-keratins in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in a bearded dragon and two loggerhead turtles.ResultsAcidic alpha-keratin (AE1 positive) was detected in many of the epithelial tissues of the bearded dragons; however, the detection of basic alpha-keratin (AE3 positive) was much more limited. Alpha-keratins were detected in a greater number of tissues of loggerhead turtles compared with those observed in bearded dragons. In the bearded dragon SCC, all layers of the nests of neoplastic cells, including the cornified layer of the keratin pearls, were strongly reactive with the AE1 antibody. However, a weak reactivity using the AE3 antibody was detected in the basal and intermediate layers of these nests. In the cutaneous SCCs of both sea turtles, acidic alpha-keratin was detected in the basal and suprabasal layers, and in all of the invasive neoplastic cords, while basic alpha-keratin was mainly detected in the invasive neoplastic cords. The pattern observed in the metastases in both turtles consisted of immunohistological detection of acidic alpha-keratin in all metastatic foci, and limited or lack of detection of basic alpha-keratin.ConclusionsThis study provides, for the first time, information about the immunohistochemical staining patterns of alpha-keratins in normal tissues from bearded dragons and loggerhead sea turtles, and confirms the usefulness of AE1 and AE3 monoclonal antibodies in these reptile species. The use of these antibodies also contributed to a better characterization of SCCs in these species.
Highlights
Cytokeratins with epitopes in common with those of alpha mammalian keratins have been immunohistochemically demonstrated in the epidermis of reptiles
The aims of this study were a) to describe the immunohistochemical staining patterns of alpha-keratins in the major normal epithelia and organs from two reptile species [the bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)], and b) to document the immunolocalization of alpha-keratins in Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in these species to contribute to a better characterization of these tumours
Regarding the normal tissues collected from bearded dragons, the most intense reactivity using the monoclonal anti-alpha human keratin Anti-alpha-keratin type I monoclonal antibody (AE1) antibody was limited to the inner cornified and pre-cornified layers of the epidermis and the epithelial linings of the small intestine and the biliary ducts; a moderate reactivity was observed in the gastric mucosa, hepatocytes, respiratory epithelia, and the renal distal tubular cells (Fig. 1)
Summary
Cytokeratins with epitopes in common with those of alpha (acidic and basic) mammalian keratins have been immunohistochemically demonstrated in the epidermis of reptiles. We used anti-alpha human keratin AE1 and AE3 monoclonal antibodies to study the staining patterns of alpha-keratins in the major normal epithelia and organs from two reptile species [the bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)]. Alpha keratins are typical intermediate filaments of epithelia in mammals They are formed by pairing of type I (acidic) and type II (basic) molecules and are expressed in highly specific patterns related to the epithelial type and stage of cellular differentiation [1]. There are no reports of immunohistochemical staining patterns of alpha-keratins in other normal tissues and organs from reptiles
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