Nestin and vimentin colocalization affects the subcellular location of glucocorticoid receptor in cutaneous melanoma

Aims:  Nestin, a neuronal stem cell/progenitor cell marker of central nervous system development, vimentin, ubiquitously expressed in mesenchymal cells and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), involved in immune response, cell proliferation and apoptosis, have shown to interact in embryo and undifferentiated tissues in modulating cell proliferation. This study analyses nestin, vimentin and GR expression in a tumour tissue, such as melanoma, and their association with clinico-pathological variables to evaluate any effect in tumour progression. Methods and Results:  Immunohistochemistry, double-labeling immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy were performed on biopsy specimens of cutaneous melanoma from 81 patients. Fisher’s and Pearson’s tests showed correlation between nestin, vimentin, and subcellular GR location (P = 0.008). Their concomitant expression also correlated with Clark level and thickness (P = 0.02 and P = 0.029 respectively). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a poorer outcome for Stage III and IV patients with associated expression of nestin, vimentin, and cytoplasmic GR in tumoral tissue (P = 0.02). Conclusions:  These results suggest the presence in melanoma of growth mechanisms involving nestin, vimentin, and GR, similarly to that occurring in embryo and undifferentiated cells, and may help in understanding tumour biology to provide a molecular basis for clinical therapies.