An immunohistochemical study of the localization of biglycan, decorin and large chondroitin-sulphate proteoglycan in pleomorphic adenoma

The present study investigated the localization of biglycan, decorin and la rge chondroitin-sulphate proteoglycans (versican) in 32 cases of pleomorphi c adenoma (PA) by immunohistochemical staining. The neoplastic epithelium o f PA showed wide staining for versican and biglycan. Myxomatous end chondro id tissues showed restricted staining for versican and biglycan. The intens e staining for decorin was observed in fibrous connective tissue of the cap sule, whereas only one case in the present study showed the positive staini ng for decorin in the mesenchymal tissues of PA, These results indicated th at both biglycan and versican might be involved in, at least in part, the m orphogenesis of neoplastic epithelium and mesenchymal tissues in PA.