The Basement Membrane In Histopathologic Diagnosis

Abstract

Basement membrane (BM) analysis in tissue presents an adjunct tool for diagnosing epithelial malignancies, especially of components laminin and collagen IV.

Monoclonal antibodies recently raised against laminin cell membrane receptor should enable study of the receptor's variable affinity for laminin, adding to the understanding of the early invasive process in neoplasia.

Histopathological studies can confirm quantifiable losses of specific BM components, with concomitant release into the blood. Such data will ultimately prove useful in the assessment of patients with malignancy. Analysis of BM components in the serum of patients with neoplasia or alcoholic liver disease have shown that these components are elevated because of metastatic degradation or increased local production.

Further study is necessary to determine whether serum and tissue analysis of BM components will prove useful as a factor in histopathologic and clinical diagnosis of other disease states. (The J Histotechnol 11,269, 1988.)

Keywords:

• basement membrane
• collagen
• laminin
• neoplasia