A survey of cutaneous neural lesions for the presence of myelin basic protein. An immunohistochemical study

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Abstract
The presence of myelin basic protein (MBP) within a skin neoplasm would support its derivation from Schwann''s cells, since this substance is routinely present within Schwann''s cells in the peripheral nervous sytem. Using a monoclonal antibody prepared against MBP and an unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase assay, a variety of [human] skin lesions suspected of being derived from Schwann''s cells were surveyed to determine wheter MBP was present. MBP was detected within the cytoplasm of cells composing benign solitary schwannoma (neurilemoma) and neurofibroma, confirming the association of these lesions with proliferation of Schwann''s cells. MBP was not found in a variety of intradermal and compound nevus cell nevi nor in malignant melanoma. This negative finding supports EM evidence suggesting that nevus cells have no relationship to Schwann''s cells even though some nevus cell arrangements suggest Schwann''s cell derivation under the light microscope.