Background: The intermediate filament nestin was first described in stem and progenitor cells of neural and mesenchymal origin. Additionally, it is expressed in endothelial cells during wound healing and tumorigenesis. Thus, nestin is widely regarded as a marker for proliferative endothelium. However, little is known about its role in lymphatic endothelium. Methods: Here, we analyzed the expression of nestin in the endothelium of ten human haemangiomas and ten lymphangiomas in situ by immunohistochemistry. This study aimed to investigate the expression of nestin in haemangiomas and lymphangiomas to determine its potential role as a vascular marker. Specifically, we aimed to assess whether nestin expression is restricted to proliferating endothelial cells or also present in non-proliferative blood vessels. Results: Immunohistochemically, haemangiomas were positive for CD31 but negative for D2-40. The endothelial cells within these lesions showed a homogeneous expression of nestin. In contrast, the endothelium of lymphangiomas reacted positively for D2-40 and CD31 but did not show any nestin expression. Additionally, only a few endothelial cells of capillary haemangiomas showed a Ki-67 positivity. Conclusions: The differential expression of nestin in haemangiomas and lymphangiomas indicates a specificity of nestin for the endothelium of blood vessels. The Ki-67 negativity in the majority of the endothelial cells reveals the proliferative quiescence of these cells. These findings indicate that nestin could be used as a marker to differentiate between blood and lymphatic vessels.

Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz 55131 Mainz Germany

Central Laboratory for Immunoanalysis Faculty of Medicine Pilsen Charles University 323 00 Pilsen Czech Republic

Department for Trauma Surgery University Hospital Regensburg 93053 Regensburg Germany

Department of Cardiology University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz 55131 Mainz Germany

Department of Pathology German Oncology Centre 4108 Limassol Cyprus

Department of Thoracic Surgery Kerckhoff Klinik 61231 Bad Nauheim Germany

German Center for Cardiovascular Research Partner Site Rhine Main 55131 Mainz Germany

Institute of Pathology and Tissue Bank University Medical Center Mainz 55131 Mainz Germany

Institute of Pathology Medical Faculty Mannheim Heidelberg University 68167 Mannheim Germany

Institute of Pathology University Regensburg 93053 Regensburg Germany

Medical Clinic 7 Department of Sports Medicine University Hospital Heidelberg 69120 Heidelberg Germany

Medical Faculty European University of Cyprus 2404 Nicosia Cyprus

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