EXPRESSION OF ADHESION MOLECULE ICAM-1 (CD54) IN THYROID PAPILLARY ADENOCARCINOMA

The expression of adhesion molecules in thyroid specimens from 10 case s of papillary adenocarcinoma, 5 cases of follicular adenoma and 3 nor mal thyroid specimens was examined by an immunohistochemical method. T hyroid epithelial cells from all cases of papillary adenocarcinoma exp ressed the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1, CD54). The ICAM- 1-positive staining in these was detected predominantly on the apical site of malignant thyroid epithelial cells. However, no ICAM-1 express ion was detected on thyrocytes of adenoma, and normal thyroid tissues. Furthermore, thyroid epithelial cells in patients with thyroid tumor and normal thyroid tissue did not react with anti-LFA-1, anti-VLA-LF, anti-VCAM-1 and anti-ELAM-1 monoclonal antibodies. It is speculated th at ICAM-1 expression in thyroid papillary adenocarcinoma may have a fu nctional significance.