Expression of CD44 isoforms and beta 1,6-branched oligosaccharides in human malignant melanoma is correlated with tumor progression but not with metastatic potential.

CD44, a family of closely related glycoproteins generated by alternative splicing, as well as the increased beta 1,6-branching of Asn-linked oligosaccharides (beta 1,6-branches), have been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis. We have investigated the expression of CD44 standard (CD44s), various CD44 splice variants (CD44v3, -v4, -v5, -v6 and -v9), and of beta 1,6-branches in a total of 37 paraffin-embedded human primary melanomas and metastases. Out of the 28 studied primary melanomas, 27 were positive for CD44s, 21 for CD44v5 (cytoplasmic staining) and 26 for beta 1,6 branches. Furthermore, superficial spreading melanomas showed a significant (p = 0.004) stronger staining for CD44s than the thick (< 1.5 mm) nodular melanomas, whereas no significant difference was found with regard to staining for CD44v5 and beta 1,6-branches. Eight of the 9 studied melanoma metastases were positive for CD44s, 6 for CD44v5 (cytoplasmic staining) and 7 for beta 1,6-branches. No CD44v3, -v4, -v6 and -v9 could be detected in any of the tumors. On average, metastases as compared to primary tumors, exhibited a significant (p = 0.002) weaker staining for CD44s. However, metastasizing melanomas could not be distinguished from non-metastasizing ones based on CD44 immunostaining.