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. 1998 Jan;51(1):52-4.
doi: 10.1136/jcp.51.1.52.

CD44 expression in normal adrenal tissue and adrenal tumours

I Barshack  1 , I Goldberg, D Nass, D Olchovsky, J Kopolovic
Affiliations

CD44 expression in normal adrenal tissue and adrenal tumours

I Barshack et al. J Clin Pathol. 1998 Jan.

Abstract

Background: CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein found on many normal cells, mainly lymphoid and epithelial. Normal cells usually express standard CD44 (CD44-S), whereas malignant tumours may express CD44 variant isoforms (CD44-V). CD44 expression has been described for neural crest derivatives. Characterisation of differences in CD44 expression may help in the diagnosis and differentiation of distinct adrenal tumours.

Aims: To examine CD44 expression in different layers of cortical cortex, in adrenal medulla, and in adrenal tumours.

Methods: CD44-S and CD44-V6 expression were studied in 12 cases of adrenal cortical adenoma, 3 of adrenal cortical carcinoma, 10 of pheochromocytoma, and 4 normal adrenal glands.

Results: CD44-V6 staining showed cytoplasmic expression in normal adrenal cortex and in cortical adenomas and carcinomas. Pheochromocytomas also showed CD44-V6 expression but in 5 of the 10 cases it was sparse, focal, and sometimes perinuclear. Strong membranous staining for CD44-S was observed in normal adrenal medulla. Analysis of CD44-S expression revealed differences between cortical adrenal tumours and pheochromocytomas. Ten of 12 cortical adenomas and 2 of 3 cortical carcinoma cells showed weak to moderate cytoplasmic staining, but all cases of pheochromocytoma had strong membranous staining.

Conclusions: Membranous CD44-S staining may help to distinguish pheochromocytoma from adrenal cortical adenoma.

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