Stains & CD markers
Smoothelin
Copyright: 2002-2025, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Smoothelin[TI]
Smoothelin
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 November 2011
Last staff update: 6 July 2023
Copyright: 2002-2025, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Smoothelin[TI]
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Interpretation | Uses by pathologists | Microscopic (histologic) images | Positive staining - normal | Positive staining - disease | Negative stainingCite this page: Pernick N. Smoothelin. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/stainssmoothelin.html. Accessed January 10th, 2025.
Definition / general
- Marker of terminally differentiated smooth muscle cells, first described in 1996 (J Cell Biol 1996;134:401)
Interpretation
- Distinction of cytoplasmic from nuclear staining may be important
Uses by pathologists
- In urothelial carcinoma, may help distinguish invasion of muscularis propria (positive) from muscularis mucosa (weak/negative, Am J Surg Pathol 2010;34:792, Am J Surg Pathol 2009;33:91), but there may be overlap of staining between the two layers (Virchows Arch 2011;458:665, Am J Surg Pathol 2010;34:418)
- In esophagus, stains weaker in neomuscularis mucosa, but may need for both layers to be present simultaneously to accurately interpret depth of invasion (Am J Surg Pathol 2011;35:55)
Microscopic (histologic) images
Image hosted on other servers:
Lamina propria:
Muscularis mucosae
(arrowhead); Detrusor
muscle (arrow)
Positive staining - normal
- Differentiated smooth muscle cells
Positive staining - disease
- Cytoplasmic staining: benign smooth muscle tumors, GI leiomyosarcomas (24%, Am J Surg Pathol 2009;33:1795)
- Nuclear staining: GI leiomyosarcomas (41%), GIST (22%)
Negative staining
- Striated muscle, myofibroblasts, myoepithelial cells, pericytes
- Negative cytoplasmic staining in dedifferentiated liposarcoma, desmoid tumor, GIST, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, MPNST, schwannoma
