High-level expression of CD109 is frequently detected in lung squamous cell carcinomas

CD109 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface protein, which is a member of the alpha 2-macroglobulin/C3, C4, C5 family of thioester-containing proteins. It has been reported that CD109 is expressed in a subset of hematopoietic cells, endothelial cells and several kinds of human tumors. Herein it is reported that the CD109 protein is preferentially expressed in lung squamous cell carcinomas compared with other types of lung carcinoma including adenocarcinomas, large cell carcinomas and small cell carcinomas. Immunohistochemical staining of surgically resected lung specimens using an anti-CD109 antibody detected CD109 expression in basal cells of bronchial and bronchiolar epithelia and myoepithelial cells of bronchial secretary glands, but not in bronchial and bronchiolar apical epithelial cells and alveolar epithelial cells. Furthermore, the CD109 immunoreactivity was observed in squamous cell carcinomas at a high frequency compared with other types of lung carcinoma. Although the detailed function of CD109 protein is unclear, these results suggest that CD109 expression may play a role in the development of lung squamous cell carcinoma.