Lectin-binding histochemistry of verruca vulgaris and seborrheic keratosis.

Abstract
Sugar residues in the epithelial cells of cerruca vulgaris and seborrheic keratosis were demonstrated by the horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectin methods. The lectins, Con A [Concanavalin A], RCA-1 [Ricinus communis agglutinin], UEA-1 [Uley europaeus agglutinin], DBA [Dolichos bifloris agglutinin], PNA [peanut agglutinin], SBA [soybean agglutinin] and WGA [wheat germ agglutinin] were used to bind specifically to the sugars, Man [mannose], Glc [glucose], Gal [galactose], Fuc [fucose], GalNAc [N-acetyl-galactosamine], GlcNAc [N-acetyl-glucosamine] and NANA [N-acetyl-neuraminic acid]. The cytochemical distribution of lectin bindings were limited to the cell surface, intercellular materials and basement membrane in the epithelial structures of the lesions. The lectin bindings in the basal layer cells were negative or weak, but increased gradually in upper spinous cells from moderate to strong levels. Vacuolated cells in verruca vulgaris showed positive lectin stainings. The intercellular materials of parakeratinized cells bound lectins differently, but orthokeratinized cells failed to bind lectins. The regional distribution of lectin bindings in stratified squamous epithelia may indicate an expression of keratinocytic stratification as well as in keratinized benign lesions.