Upregulation of MUC4 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma: Pathologic significance

Elizabeth G. Munro, Maneesh Jain, Esther Oliva, Neel Kamal, Subodh M. Lele, Maureen P. Lynch, Lankai Guo, Kai Fu, Poonam Sharma, Steve Remmenga, Whitfield B. Growdon, John S. Davis, Bo R. Rueda, Surinder K. Batra

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

MUC4 is a transmembrane glycoprotein more highly expressed in cervical dysplasia than benign cervical epithelium. We sought to determine whether MUC4 expression differs between benign and malignant cervical tissue. Fifty-eight patients with benign, dysplastic, or malignant cervical pathology were identified retrospectively, and representative sections were stained with a mouse monoclonal anti-MUC4 antibody. Semiquantitative analysis was performed on benign, dysplastic, and malignant regions by scoring staining intensity (0: negative, 1: weak, 2: moderate, and 3: strong) and distribution (focal <10%, multifocal = 10%-60%, diffuse ≥60%). In samples with benign glycogenated squamous epithelium, only the parabasal cells had MUC4 staining, and 48.5% had an intensity of 2 or 3. All samples with immature squamous metaplasia were positive through the entire epithelial thickness. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 samples had variable staining with an intensity similar to glycogenated squamous epithelium but distribution similar to squamous metaplasia. All CIN 3 (n = 21) and invasive squamous cell carcinomas (n = 17) had increased MUC4 staining intensity (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001) and increased diffuse staining (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001) compared with the limited staining in glycogenated squamous epithelium. In contrast, no differences in staining were observed between benign endocervical glands, adenocarcinoma in situ, and invasive adenocarcinoma. These expression patterns suggest that MUC4 is a lineage marker in benign cervical tissue that may have aberrant expression in squamous dysplasia and carcinoma. Further studies may elucidate the role of MUC4 in the development of squamous cell cervical cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)127-133
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Gynecological Pathology
Volume28
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Cervical cancer
  • MUC4
  • Squamous cell carcinoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Upregulation of MUC4 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma: Pathologic significance'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this