Cutaneous Immunoreactivity of D2-40 Antibody Beyond the Lymphatics

Recent research suggests that the D2-40 monoclonal antibody recognizes the 40,000 Da O-linked sialoglycoprotein podoplanin. Podoplanin not only is highly expressed in lymphatic endothelium but also in other cell types, including sebaceous carcinoma cells. Using the D2-40 antibody, our purpose was to evaluate expression of podoplanin in sebaceous glands of normal skin. Twenty-four formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded normal skin specimens (10 from scalp and 14 from cheeks) were immunostained using the D2-40 mouse monoclonal antibody. Strong immunostaining with D2-40 antibody was observed at the periphery of sebaceous glands and in skin lymphatic endothelium of all specimens, demonstrating that podoplanin is expressed in sebaceous glands of normal skin.