Atypical (dysplastic) melanocytic nevi are considered for many as an intermediate step in a clinicopathologic spectrum from acquired melanocytic nevi to malignant melanoma.[1,2] Sometimes these nevi seem to be “self-regressing”, but the manner in which the immune system produces these changes remains unknown. For many years, it has been thought that the immune response in melanocytic and other skin cancers was “not effective”, and/or absent or anergic [1].

A 45 year old male presented for a skin examination. The dermatologist noted a hyperpigmented macule on the patient’s back, and a skin biopsy for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis was obtained.

Skin biopsies were taken for histology (H&E) studies, for immunohistochemistry (IHC) and for direct immunofluorescence studies (DIF); our techniques were performed as previously described [2].

The H&E staining demonstrated a melanocytic neoplasm, with melanocytes present as nests and single cells located along the dermal/epidermal junction (Fig. 1a, black arrow) (100X). Mild cytologic atypia was seen within these cells, but pagetoid spread of melanocytes was not appreciated. The melanocytes displayed bridging between adjacent rete ridges, and lamellar fibroplasia of collagen was present. The lesion appeared free of the specimen borders in the sections examined.

Tyrosinase was positive in the dysplastic nevi (Fig. 1b, brown staining; red arrow) (200X). Galectin 3 was also positive in melanocytic areas, mostly displaying cytoplasmic staining. COX-2 staining was positive on inflammatory cells around dermal vessels (Fig. 1c, red staining; black arrow) (200X). Fig. 1d shows colocalization of CD45 positive cells in red (red arrow) and COX-2 positive cells in brown (black arrow) (200X). RIBO and BCL-2 were both positive colocalizing in the dysplastic nevus and in the inflammatory cells under it. A few cells positive for CD68 were noted under the dysplastic nevus (image not shown), indicating the presence of antigen presenting cells in this area.

In this case we were able to see interactions between the melanocytic cells, the innate immune response, and the inflammatory response. Innate immunity is thought to provide a rapid, incomplete antimicrobial host defense until acquired immunity develops. COX-2 positive staining indicates an innate immunity response. The antigen presenting cells (CD68 staining) likely potentiate a specialized immune response, in combination with the CD45 positive cells.

Galectin-3 is a member of the lectin and the beta-galactoside binding protein families. Galectin plays a role in cell-cell adhesion, cell-matrix interactions and macrophage activation, among other functions [3,4]. Other authors had studied the presence of galectin 3 in differential melanocytic lesions, and concluded that strong galectin 3 expression was associated with an improved overall survival from melanocytic lesions. Other studies had shown contradictory results, showing that melanocytes accumulate galectin-3 with tumor progression, particularly in the nuclei [3,4]. Here Galectin 3 is likely allowing a flux of the immune cells into the nevus. On the other hand, BCL-2 regulates cell death (apoptosis), by either inducing (pro-apoptotic) or inhibiting (anti-apoptotic) functions [5]. BCL-2 expression in dysplastic nevi likely signals an immune response against the nevus by apoptosis, and/or ­pro-apotosis [5].

In regards to the positivity of COX-2, it represents an inducible enzyme involved in the production of prostaglandins and thromboxanes during inflammation. There is evidence of COX-2 acting to induce flux of immune cells into melanocytic lesions. However, other lines of evidence indicate that increased expression of COX-2 plays a functional role in the development and progression of malignant melanocytic cells [6]. We suggest that COX-2 and BCL-2 roles could change on a case-by case basis, either promoting immunity and/or inhibiting it in dysplastic nevi. Given the fact that most pre-melanoma and melanoma lesions are quickly excised, verification of these precise functions would require creating melanoma cell line animal models, then testing the markers throughout melanoma progression.

In conclusion, here we present some inflammatory and immune response in a regressing dysplastic nevus that maybe an example of an efficient early antitumoral response preventing the development of neoplasia. The immunosurveillance of this compound dysplastic nevi seem to play of major importance given the possibility to progress to melanoma. Specifically, the area around the tumor and the immune system cells includes an innate and a specialized immune response as well as inflamation.