[Histochemical studies of transepidermal elimination of nevus cells in nevus cell nevi of the corium].

Dermal nevocytic nevi (NN) were histochemically studied with the help of FITC-conjugated lectins as well as antisera against keratin and plasminogen activators of the urokinase type. 3 out of 18 NN showed interpenetrating nevus cells in atrophic parts of the epidermis. These cells revealed strong lectin reactivity both with Con A (cytoplasmatic binding) and WGA/RCA II (membraneous binding). In addition we found membraneous reaction with anti-urokinase, whereas there was no anti-keratin staining. Our findings suggest active transepidermal elimination of nevus cells in dermal nevocytic nevi.