Desmin

Desmin is a muscle marker for intermediate filaments, which are present in smooth and striated muscle. It shows variable myofibroblastic expression. It is most commonly used to identify muscle differentiation in neoplastic processes (e.g. leiomyoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, etc.).

It is interesting that reactive mesothelial cells are often positive for desmin (>50%), compared to mesothelioma (<10%) or carcinoma (<5%).

Photomicrographs

Desmin - Colon Vessels — Desmin highlighting smooth muscle in the vessels of colon tissue.

Desmin - Colon muscularis propria — Desmin highlighting muscular propria of colon tissue.

Desmin - Colon — Desmin highlighting smooth muscle in the vessels submucosal interface of colon tissue.

References

Davidson, B., Nielsen, S., Christensen, J., Asschenfeldt, P., Berner, A., Risberg, B., Johansen, P. (2001). The role of desmin and N-cadherin in effusion cytology: a comparative study using established markers of mesothelial and epithelial cells. American Journal of Surgical Pathology, Nov;25(11):1405-12.

Minato, H., Kurose, N., Fukushima, M., Nojima, T., Usuda, K., Sagawa, M., et al. (2014). Comparative Immunohistochemical Analysis of IMP3, GLUT1, EMA, CD146, and Desmin for Distinguishing Malignant Mesothelioma From Reactive Mesothelial Cells. American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 141(1), 85–93. doi:10.1309/AJCP5KNL7QTELLYI