Orientador: Marcelo Macedo Crivelini / Resumo: As leucoplasias são lesões orais que podem apresentar vários aspectos clínicos e histológicos e são associadas a malignidade geralmente quando apresentam alterações displásicas. Contudo, essas transformações podem ocorrer em lesões sem displasia que apresentam aspecto clínico inocente. Por esse motivo nossa proposta foi estudar a expressão imuno-histoquímica do p53 e PCNA em leucoplasias sem displasias, buscando correlacionar os resultados apenas com o grau de queratinização epitelial. Para isso foram utilizados as leucoplasias Grau I, II e III de Grinspan, num total de 24 lesões, todas localizadas em mucosa jugal. A maior parte das leucoplasias, em seus diferentes graus de queratinização, apresentou expressão de p53 e PCNA. A marcação do p53 restringiu-se às camadas basal e parabasal, enquanto a do PCNA ocorreu em praticamente todas as camadas epiteliais. O padrão de expressão desses marcadores foi histologicamente e estatisticamente semelhante entre as lesões com esta variação de queratinização. Ficou evidente que os epitélios não displásicos das leucoplasias possuem sinais sub-microscópicos de alterações direcionadas à transformação maligna e o grau de queratinização não se correlacionou ao maior risco desse acontecimento. / Abstract: Leukoplakias are oral lesions that may have many clinical and histologic aspects and they are usually associated with malignancy when dysplastic alterations are shown. However, these transformations may occur in non dysplastic lesions that show harmless clinical aspect. For this reason, our proposal was to study the p53 and PCNA immunohistochemical expression in no dysplastic leukoplakias, trying to correlate the results with the epitelial keratinization degree only. For this, 24 leykoplakias were used, lesions with degree I, II and III of Grinspan, all located in buccal mucosa. Most of the leukoplakias showed p53 and PCNA expression in their different keratinization degrees. The p53 marking were confined at basal and parabasal layer, while the PCNA marking occurred in practically all epithelia layers. The expression pattern of these markers were histologically and estatistically similar between the lesions with this keratinization variation. It was evident that non dysplastic epithelium of leukoplakias have no visible signs of the alterations at the microscope which leads to malignant transformation, and that the keratinization degree did not correlate to greater risk of this event. / Mestre

Orientadora: Telma Gonçalves Carneiro Spera de Andrade / Coorientadora: Isabel Cristina Cherici Camargo / Banca: Miriam Mendonça Morato de Andrade / Banca: Rafael Carvalho Almada / Resumo: Deakin e Graeff propuseram que ansiedade e o pânico seriam regulados pela serotonina ou 5-hidroxitriptamina (5-HT), possuindo mais de um mecanismo de controle. Ambos os mecanismos têm sua origem nos núcleos Dorsal da Rafe (NDR) e Mediano da Rafe (NMR). O NDR possui ainda, cinco diferentes subnúcleos ao longo do eixo rostrocaudal: dorsal (DRD), ventral (DRV), lateral/asas laterais (lwDR), caudal (DRC) e interfascicular (DRI), sendo que os subnúcleos DRC, DRD e DRI originam a via modulatória do transtorno de ansiedade generalizada e o subnúcleo lwDR origina a via modulatória do transtorno do pânico. Sabe-se que as mulheres são mais suscetíveis à manifestação dos transtornos de ansiedade e de pânico do que os homens. Estudos com modelos animais de ansiedade mostram que nas fases do ciclo hormonal onde ocorre maior liberação de estrógeno, proestro e estro, é constatada ansiólise. De maneira oposta em animais na fase de metaestro e diestro, nas quais há baixa concentração sérica de estradiol, os comportamentos defensivos observados apontam para o aumento da ansiedade. Receptores para estrógeno, alfa (ERα) e beta (ERβ), foram encontrados em estruturas encefálicas descritas por Deakin e Graeff como relacionadas com a manifestação dos transtornos de ansiedade e co-localizadas em receptores serotonérgicos. Assim, esse estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a expressão de neurônios serotonérgicos e não-serotonérgicos no NMR e nos diferentes subnúcleos do NDR em relação a fase do ciclo... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Deakin and Graeff proposed that anxiety and panic would be regulated by serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), having more than one control mechanism. Both mechanisms have their origin in Dorsal Raphe Nucleus (DRN) and Median Raphe Nucleus (MRN). The DRN also has five sub-regions along the rostrocaudal axis: dorsal (DRD), ventral (DRV), lateral / lateral wings (lwDR), caudal (DRC) and interfascicular (DRI), being that the DRC, DRD and DRI subnuclei originate the modulatory pathway of generalized anxiety disorder and the subnucleus lwDR originates the modulatory pathway of panic disorder. It is known that women are more susceptible to the manifestation of anxiety and panic disorders than men. Studies with animal models of anxiety show that in the phases of the hormonal cycle where estrogen release occurs, like proestrus and estrous, anxiolysis is observed. On the other hand, animals in the metaestrus and diestrus phase, in which there is a low concentration of estradiol, the observed defensive behaviors point to an increase in anxiety. Receptors for estrogen, alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) were found in structures described by Deakin and Graeff as re lated to a manifestation of anxiety disorders and co-localized in serotonergic receptors. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the expression of serotonergic and non-serotonergic neurons in the MRN and in the different NDR subnuclei in relation to the phases of estrous cycle of rats and after a bilateral ovariectomy. The females were perfused and the brains were processed in order to perform the double-label immunohistochemistry process for c-Fos protein (cellular activation indirect marker) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH - present only in serotonergic neurons). No difference was found when MRN was analyzed. The results showed a... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Julio Lopes Sequeira / Resumo: A interação entre células neoplásicas e estroma influencia na gênese, amplificação/ inibição tumoral e cinética das drogas antineoplásicas. O fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular (VEGF) é uma citocina envolvida na angiogênese tumoral, relacionada a sobrevida dos pacientes. Dentre os componentes celulares, os fibroblastos associados ao câncer têm papel fundamental na progressão tumoral e secretam diversas citocinas, incluindo o VEGF. Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram caracterizar a distribuição, arranjo e quantidade das fibras de colágeno e reticulina no estroma dos linfomas caninos através dos métodos de Picrosirius Red e reticulina, avaliação imuno-histoquímica dos colágenos tipo I e III, do VEGF e α-SMA. Sessenta linfomas foram agrupados de acordo com o imunofenótipo e grau. O colágeno tipo III foi o predominante. As porcentagens e escores de marcação da reticulina, colágeno e VEGF foram diferentes entre os grupos e imunofenótipos, sendo que o linfoma T de alto grau exibiu os maiores níveis tanto de colágeno, reticulina e VEGF. Houve correlação entre expressão de VEGF e índice proliferativo. A expressão de α-SMA foi semelhante entre os grupos, imunofenótipos e graus. Como conclusão, a maior densidade de componentes fibrosos e níveis de expressão de VEGF nos linfomas T poderia, ao menos em parte, contribuir para o pior prognóstico apresentado por pacientes com esse tipo de tumor. Ainda, o VEGF tem potencial como marcador prognóstico no linfoma canino e o uso de ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Neoplastic cells interaction with stroma influences tumorigenesis, amplification or inhibition of tumor progression and anticancer drugs kinetics. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a crucial cytokine implicated in tumoral angiogenesis and survival and among cellular components cancer associated fibroblasts play a role on tumour progression, secreting various cytokines, including VEGF. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize fibres distribution, arrangement and amount on stroma evaluated in Picrosirius Red and reticulin stained slides as well as in type I and III immunolabelled sections of canine lymphoma, in addition to the immunoexpression of VEGF and α-SMA on neoplastic lymphoma cells and stroma, respectively. Sixty lymphomas were divided into four groups according to immunophenotype and grade. Type III was the preponderant collagen. Staining percentage and scores of reticulin and collagen, as well as scores of VEGF immunolabelling, were significantly different between groups and immunophenotypes, with high-grade T-cell lymphomas exhibiting the largest quantities. Additionally, VEGF was positively correlated with proliferation index. There was no difference regarding α-SMA expression within groups, immunophenotypes or grades. In conclusion, the greater density of fibrous components on T-cell lymphomas, combined with bigger VEGF levels, could, at least partially, explain the poorer prognosis for patients presenting those tumours. Furthermore, VEGF has... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Orientador: Mirela Tinucci Costa / Coorientador: Renée Laufer Amorim / Banca: Felipe Augusto Ruiz Sueiro / Banca: Noeme Sousa Rocha / Banca: Geovanni Dantas Cassali / Banca: Andrigo Barboza De Nardi / Resumo: Tumores mamários são muito comuns em cadelas e apresentam comportamento biológico semelhante aos que ocorrem nas mulheres, tornando a cadela um excelente modelo de estudo comparativo. A transição epitélio-mesênquima (EMT) facilita a migração celular, favorecendo a ocorrência de metástases, fator que tem influência direta no prognóstico das pacientes com neoplasia mamária. Assim, este estudo objetivou avaliar, pela técnica de imuno-histoquimica, marcadores de EMT em tumores mamários caninos (E-caderina, β-catenina, Vimentina e Citoceratina), além da expressão gênica e protéica de dos genes WNT5A e APC pelas técnicas de RT-qPCR e imuno-histoquímica. Para isto foram utilizadas 98 cadelas, sem predileção por raça ou idade, além de glândulas mamárias normais. Quatro grupos foram formados: (G1) 5 amostras de mamas normais sem alterações histopatológicas; (G2) 28 alterações mamárias benignas; (G3) 56 carcinomas mamários sem metástase e (G4) 14 carcinomas mamários com metástase. Ambos os genes (APC e WNT5A) mostraram maior expressão entre as mamas normais, sem diferença entre neoplasias benignas e malignas (com e sem metástase). O fenótipo de EMT foi identificado pela análise multivariada, pois neoplasias benignas foram fortemente associadas à β-catenina em membrana, escore elevado de citoceratina e negatividade para vimentina nas células epiteliais, enquanto os carcinomas metastáticos foram associados à β-catenina nuclear, baixo escore de E-caderina e positividade para vimentina em suas células epiteliais neoplásicas. Como a presença de β-catenina nuclear é característica da ativação da via de sinalização do Wnt/β-catenina, é possível concluir que esta via está ativada entre as neoplasias mamárias caninas e que o processo de EMT está ocorrendo visto a transformação das células epiteliais das neoplasias benignas em um fenótipo mesenquimal como o observado nas neoplasias ... / Abstract: Mammary tumors are very common in bitches and have a very similar biological behavior to the ones that occur in women, turning it an excellent model for comparative studies. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) facilitate migration and the occurrence of metastasis, factor that have direct influence on prognosis. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate, by immunohistochemistry (IHC), EMT markers in canine mammary tumors (e-cadherin, β-catenin, vimentin and cytokeratin). In addition, gene and protein expressions of two genes WNT5A and APC were evaluated by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. To this, 98 bitches with no breed or age predilection, besides normal mammary glands without neoplastic lesions were used to form four groups: (G1) 5 normal mammary samples; (G2) 28 benign mammary lesions; (G3) 56 non-metastatic mammary carcinomas and (G4) 14 metastatic carcinomas. Both genes, APC and WNT5A show higher expression between normal mammary samples and no difference among benign and malignant tumors (metastatic and non-metastatic). EMT phenotype was identified by multivariate analysis, because benign tumors were stongly associated with membranous β-catenin, high scores of Cytokeratin and no vimentin expression in epithelial cells and metastatic carcinomas were strongly associated to nuclear β-catenin, low E-cadherin expression and vimentin positivity in neoplastic epithelial cells. As nuclear localization of β-catenin is characteristic of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway aberrant activation, we can conclude that Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway is activated among canine mammary tumors and EMT is occuring since benign epithelial cells have been transformed in mesenchymal cells in metastatic tumors. Those findings provide data for a better understanding of cancer progression and open new perspectives about research not only in mammary tumors, but also in other neoplastic types in dogs, facilitating to identify new prognostic factors and ... / Doutor

Orientador: Márcia Rita Fernandes Machado / Coorientador: Andrigo Barboza de Nardi / Banca: Sérgio Brito Garcia / Banca: Angélica Trazzi Bento de Moraes / Banca: Paola Castro Moraes / Banca: Márcia Ferreira da Rosa Sobreira / Resumo: O presente trabalho, teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial cicatricial do óleo de semente de maracujá. O óleo de semente de maracujá é um fitoterápico, inovador com grandes perspectivas para para acelerar o processo cicatricial de lesões cutâneas. Nesse estudo foram avaliados feridas de equinos e ratos Wistar. Foram feitas avaliações macroscópicas e microscópicas nos equinos e avaliação imunuistoquímica nos ratos Wistar. Nas primeiras avaliações macroscópicas e microscópicas nos equinos, pudemos notar a diferença entre o grupo controle e o grupo tratado com óleo de semente de maracujá, os resultados fora estatisticamente significativos, em relação ao grupo tratado com óleo de semente de maracujá. Quando feita a imunoistoquímica no material biológico coletado dos ratos, obtivemos um resultado significativo, estatisticamente comprovado, avaliando COX-2, TGFβ, VEGF, Alfa Actina, Fator VIII, CD68. São marcadores de extrema importância na evolução cicatricial. Com os resultados obtidos, pudemos comprovar que o fitoterápico, óleo de semente de maracujá é eficiente e a acelera o processo cicatricial / Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the healing potential of passion fruit seed oil. The passion fruit seed oil is a herbal, innovative with great prospects for to accelerate the healing process of skin lesions. In this study were evaluated wounds of horses and Wistar rats. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations were done in horses and imunuistoquímica assessment in Wistar rats. In the first macroscopic and microscopic evaluations in horses, could tell the difference between the control group and the group treated with passion fruit seed oil, the results had been statistically significant, compared to the group treated with passion fruit seed oil. When done immunohistochemistry biological material collected from the mice, we obtained a significant result, demonstrated statistically evaluating COX-2, TGFb, VEGF, Actin alpha, Factor VIII, CD68. Markers are very important in scar evolution. With the results, we could confirm that the herbal medicine, passion fruit seed oil is efficient and speeds up the healing process / Doutor

Chow Tsun Cheung, Louis. / "May 2000." / Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

by Lai-pang Law. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-182). / ABSTRACT / LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS / LIST OF TABLES / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS / ABBREVIATIONS / Chapter CHAPTER I --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER II --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- The uterus and its changes in the normal menstrual cycle / Chapter 2.2 --- Anatomy and physiology of normal myometrium / Chapter 2.3 --- Clinical features and management of uterine leiomyoma / Chapter 2.4 --- Pathology of human uterine leiomyoma / Chapter 2.5 --- The relationship between growth fractions and ER in breast carcinoma / Chapter 2.6 --- Steroid receptors and epidermal growth factor receptor / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Steroid receptors / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Epidermal growth factor receptor / Chapter 2.7 --- "Structures of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Ki-67 and epidermal growth factor receptor" / Chapter 2.7.1 --- The structure of oestrogen receptor / Chapter 2.7.2 --- The structure of progesterone receptor / Chapter 2.7.3 --- The structure of Ki-67 / Chapter 2.7.4 --- The structure of epidermal growth factor receptor / Chapter 2.8 --- "Antibodies to steroid receptors, monoclonal Ki-67 and epidermal growth factor receptor" / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Steroid receptors / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Monoclonal Ki-67 / Chapter 2.8.3 --- Epidermal growth factor receptor / Chapter 2.9 --- "Functions of steroid receptors, Ki-67 and epidermal growth factor receptor" / Chapter 2.9.1 --- The functions of steroid receptors / Chapter 2.9.2 --- The functions of Ki-67 / Chapter 2.9.3 --- The functions of epidermal growth factor receptor / Chapter 2.10 --- Cell cycle / Chapter 2.11 --- Immunohistochemistry / Chapter 2.11.1 --- Introduction / Chapter 2.11.2 --- Methodology of immunostaining / Chapter 2.11.3 --- Avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique / Chapter 2.11.4 --- Chromogens / Chapter 2.11.5 --- Enhancement methods / Chapter 2.11.6 --- Fixation for immunohistochemistry / Chapter CHAPTER III --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.63 / Chapter 3.1 --- Reagents and chemicals / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Primary monoclonal antibodies / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Secondary antibodies / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Avidin-biotin complex / Chapter 3.1.4 --- DAB solution / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Buffers / Chapter 3.1.6 --- Miscellaneous / Chapter 3.2 --- Patients and specimens / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Specimen collection / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Preparation of specimens / Chapter 3.3 --- Immunohistochemical staining / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Slide preparation / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Antigen retrieval / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Procedures of immunohistochemical staining / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Interpretation of immunostaining / Chapter CHAPTER IV --- RESULTS --- p.80 / Chapter 4.1 --- Clinical information / Chapter 4.2 --- Oestrogen receptor / Chapter 4.3 --- Progesterone receptor / Chapter 4.4 --- Epidermal growth factor receptor / Chapter 4.5 --- Ki-67 / Chapter CHAPTER V --- DISCUSSION --- p.120 / Chapter 5.1 --- Methods and interpretation of the results / Chapter 5.1.1 --- The advantages of the immunohistochemical staining technique / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Interpretation and reporting of immunohistochemical results / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Interpretation of the results by semi- quantitative assessment and statistical analysis / Chapter 5.2 --- The status of steroid receptors in uterine leiomyoma / Chapter 5.2.1 --- ER status in uterine leiomyoma and normal myometrium / Chapter 5.2.2 --- PR status in uterine leiomyoma and normal myometrium / Chapter 5.3 --- EGF-R status in uterine leiomyoma / Chapter 5.4 --- Ki-67 status in uterine leiomyoma and normal myometrium / Chapter 5.5 --- "The relationship between steroid receptors, Ki-67, EGF-R and uterine leiomyoma growth" / Chapter 5.6 --- Biological indices in the assessment of tumor / Chapter 5.7 --- Microwave technology in immunohistology for surgical pathology / Chapter CHAPTER VI --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.144 / REFERENCES --- p.148

Com objetivos de validar o modelo de anóxia neonatal apresentado e analisar a distribuição de neurônios imunorreativos à proteína Fos (IR-Fos) no encéfalo de ratos neonatos submetidos ao insulto anóxico, foram utilizados 24 ratos wistar neonatos machos divididos em dois grupos: Anóxia (n=12) e Controle (n=12). O grupo Anóxia apresentou decréscimo de 75% no valor da saturação periférica de oxigênio durante a exposição ao nitrogênio, enquanto o Controle não apresentou alterações nos valores (97%±0,5). A análise do número de células IR-Fos mostrou ativação de áreas encefálicas relacionadas ao controle da respiração, estruturas límbicas e núcleos da rafe. Tais dados sugerem que o modelo experimental de anóxia neonatal utilizado é eficiente em produzir privação temporária de oxigênio em ratos neonatos, levando a respostas condizentes com a anóxia. Espera-se, com estes resultados, facilitar a compreensão dos eventos relacionados à neurodegeneração e neurorregeneração após anóxia neonatal e, se possível, abrir caminho para novas abordagens e perspectivas terapêuticas. / The aim of this study is to validate the experimental model of neonatal anoxia and evaluate by Fos imunoreactivity (Fos-IR) the effects of anoxic insult. Twenty-four male wistar neonates (weighting 6-8g) were divided in two groups: Anoxia (n=12) and Control (n=12). The anoxic group presented decrease of 75% in the value of the peripheric saturation of oxygen during exposure to the nitrogen while control group did not present alterations in the values of the peripheric saturation of oxygen during the studied time (97 % ± 0,5). These data suggest that the experimental model of neonatal anoxia presented is efficient in producing temporary deprivation of oxygen in neonates rats, leading to responses that characterize anoxia. Fos-IR neurons analisis showed important activation of respiratory regions, limbic strutures and raphe nuclei in anoxic group when compared to control group. We hope facilitate the understanding of neonatal anoxia neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration and possibly contribute for new approaches and therapeutic perspectives.

Orientador: João Carlos Pinheiro Ferreira / Abstract: Thirty Nelore cows were submitted to estrus synchronization using a single administration of lecirelina, at 25 mg dosage and seven days later, D+ Cloprostenol at, 0.15 mg being both administered intra-muscularly. The first 16 cows ovulating were selected and daily evaluation was performed by rectal palpation and ultrasound of the female reproductive tract followed by blood sampling. Endometrial samples were collected by biopsy at days 0, 5, 9, 13 and 19 of the estrous cycle to detect the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors by immunohistochemistry. The cows were distributed in 3 groups: control (without endometrial sampling, n=8), D0 (sampling initiated at the day of ovulation, n=4) and D13 (sampling initiated at day 13 of the estrous cycle, n=4). The mean inter-estrus interval was 23.80 l 2.70. The progesterone plasma mean concentrations ranged from 0.06 ng/mL to 4.53 ng/mL, decreasing throughout the cycle and reaching the lowest value close to ovulation. The pattern was characterized by increasing values during the luteal phase. The estradiol 17-b mean concentrations ranged from 6.22 pg/mL to 14.10 pg/mL and these values did not change throughout the estrous cycle. The results obtained by the rectal palpation revealed that the uterine tone and thickness were changing throughout the estrous cycle, being elevated during the period close to ovulation, and they were decreased during the progesterone phase. The ultrasound demonstrates that the amount of fluid content on the cranial vaginal compartment and in the uterine horn lumen was modified throughout the cycle. The largest amount of fluid was observed during the closest period to estrus and small fluid accumulation was observed during the progesterone phase. However, cows that were submitted to endometrial sampling presented more fluid during the progesterone phase... / Mestre

Introdução: O molusco contagioso (MC) é um vírus da família Poxviridae que infecta os queratinócitos epidérmicos levando a hiperplasia e formação de inclusões eosinofílicas intracitoplasmáticas os corpos de molluscum. Poucos estudos analisam as alterações induzidas por este Mollucipox vírus nas estruturas que compõem o citoesqueleto e a adesão celular dos queratinócitos. Objetivos: Verificar o padrão de expressão de citoqueratinas, filagrina, involucrina, E-caderina e p63 pela técnica de imuno-histoquímica em lesões de MC e compará-las com a epiderme adjacente aparentemente normal (EAAN). Método: Através de técnica de imuno-histoquímica, estudou-se a expressão de K1, K10, K14, K16, filagrina, involucrina, E-caderina e p63 em lesões de MC de 41 pacientes imunocompetentes. Os padrões de expressão nas lesões de MC foram comparados com a EAAN. Resultados: A expressão de K1/K10 ocorreu como o habitual nas camadas suprabasais da epiderme. A marcação de K14 foi observada nas camadas epidérmicas basal e suprabasal nas lesões de MC e EAAN. A K16, que é expressa somente em processos hiperproliferativos, foi demonstrada na camada espinhosa tanto nos focos de MC como na EAAN. Filagrina e involucrina expressaram-se nas camadas granulosa, espinhosa e em alguns casos até mesmo na camada basal na epiderme infectada e EAAN. A E-caderina esteve presente até a porção inferior dos corpos de molusco enquanto na EAAN apresentou-se nas camadas basal e espinhosa. A expressão nuclear do p63 ocorreu nas camadas basal e espinhosa tanto no MC como EAAN. Conclusão: A infecção pelo Molluscipox vírus parece interferir no processo de diferenciação terminal dos queratinócitos. A expressão tardia de K14 e p63 na camada espinhosa, assim como a expressão precoce de filagrina e involucrina, associada ao estado hiperproliferativo demonstrado pela presença aberrante de K16, refletem um distúrbio no processo de maturação dos queratinócitos infectados. As alterações observadas na EAAN podem representar evento precoce no distúrbio de queratinização induzido pelo vírus na pele infectada. / Background: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a Molluscipox virus infection of the epidermal keratinocytes with hyperplasia and intracytoplasmic inclusions the molluscum bodies (MB). Few studies address cytokeratins (K) profile in MC, mainly focusing the terminal epidermal keratinization process. Methods: In order to verify K1, K10, K14, K16, involucrin, filaggrin, E-cadherin and p63 expression in MC, 41 lesions were subjected to immunohistochemical technique. The immunolabeling pattern of MC was compared to adjacent normal appearing epidermis (ANAE). Results: K1 and K10 were expressed in supra basal layers of MC and ANAE. K14 was expressed in basal and suprabasal layers in MC and also in ANAE. K16 was expressed in MC and ANAE, through all spinous layers. Involucrin and filaggrin were observed in granular, spinous and even in basal layer of ANAE and MC. E-cadherin was present up to the first layers of epidermis with MB while ANAE exhibited E-cadherin labeling at basal and spinous layers. Basal and spinous layers keratinocytes nuclei, in both MC and ANAE, express p63. Conclusion: Infection by Molluscipox virus may noticeably alter keratinocyte differentiation status and cell adhesion. The presence of K14 and p63 in spinous layer, as well as early expression of involucrin and filaggrin, associated to a hyperproliferative state disclosed by the presence of K16, may be a result of a disruption in keratinocytes maturation process. The changes observed at ANAE may represent early events in keratinization disturbance.