Abstract:

Objective To investigate the expressions of nerve growth factor （NGF） and its receptors TrkA and p75NTR in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and dermatofibroma. Methods Avidin-biotin immunohistochemical （ABC） method was used to detect the expressions of NGF and its receptors TrkA and p75NTR in paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 17 cases of DFSP and 15 cases of dermatofibroma. Results NGF and TrkA were highly expressed in both DFSP and dermatofibroma specimens, with no significant difference between the two groups of specimens （?字2 = 0.11, 0.02, respectively, both P > 0.05）, while the expression of p75NTR was significantly higher in DFSP than in dermatofibroma specimens （?字2 = 32, P < 0.01）. The expression of NGF was positively correlated with that of p75NTR in DFSP （R2 = 0.623, P < 0.01）. Conclusion NGF may play a certain role in the development of DFSP via its high-affinity receptor TrkA and low-affinity receptor p75NTR.

Key words: Nerve growth factor