Expression of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B in cutaneous malignant and benign lesions: a tissue microarray study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and malignant diseases. We investigated the expression of GPNMB in benign and malignant skin diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Tissue microarray was performed in the skin tissues of 102 cases including malignant melanoma (MM), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and benign dermatosis. The expression of GPNMB in the tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. Twenty cases of normal skin and adjacent neoplastic normal skin tissues were selected as controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>GPNMB was positively stained in skin malignancies (38/50, 76%), which was significantly higher than that in the control and the benign skin tissues (P = 0.001 and < 0.001 respectively). GPNMB was positively stained in MM (13/15, 87%) and SCC (16/20, 80%) (P < 0.001). Significant higher expression of GPNMB was observed in patients aged ≥ 65 years than those less than 65 years (n = 11 and n = 9 respectively, P = 0.027). No significant difference of the expression rates was observed between normal control and BCC; however, stronger intensity was detected in the latter. Negative or weak expression was observed in the controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Over-expression of GPNMB correlated strongly and might play an important role in the pathogenesis of MM and SCC.</p>

Hereditary benign telangiectasia without family history in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

A case of hereditary benign telangiectasia without family history was reported. A 39-year-old woman presented with small and tiny telangiectases on the face, neck, upper trunk and forearms at birth. The numbers and sizes of the lesions increased gradually and she had no hemorrhagic diathesis and systemic diseases. No similar patients were found in her family. Upon physical examination, telangiectases were found on the face, neck, upper trunk and forearms; and a telangiectatic erythema was found on the right forearm 25 mm × 40 mm in size. Histopathology examination showed a normal epidermis and dilation of the capillaries at upper dermis. Hereditary benign telangiectasia without family history was diagnosed.