Immunolocalization of the oligodendrocyte transcription factor 1 (Olig1) in brain tumors.

Abstract

Recent in situ hybridization studies showed that mRNA levels of OLIG1 and OLIG2 transcription factors are elevated in oligodendrogliomas. We raised polyclonal antibodies against a synthetic peptide homologous to the human transcription factor Olig1 and studied by immunohistochemistry the expression of Olig1 in 84 brain tumors and in non-neoplastic brain tissues. All oligodendrogliomas, oligoastrocytomas, and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors showed moderate to strong intranuclear immunoreactivity in cells morphologically identified as oligodendrocytes. In addition, some astrocytomas showed a slight to moderate intranuclear immunoreactivity. None of the other neuroepithelial and non-neuroepithelial tumors showed nuclear immunoreactivity. Double immunostaining of oligodendrogliomas, oligoastrocytomas, and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) using antibodies against Olig1 and GFAP showed the presence of 3 different cell populations: 1) immunopositive for Olig1 and immunonegative for GFAP, histologically identified as oligodendrocytes; 2) immunopositive only for GFAP, histologically identified as astrocytes; and 3) immunonegative for both antibodies ("null cells"), histologically observed as a population of cells usually with round nuclei and a small amount of cytoplasm. The use of double immunostaining facilitated the distinction among these 3 different tumors. In summary, the use of immunohistochemistry using Olig1 antibodies alone or in combination with anti-GFAP antibody, which can be performed in the routine diagnostic setting, may help in the diagnosis of neuroepithelial tumors.

• Authors: Biagio Azzarelli, Leticia Miravalle, Ruben Vidal
• Journal: Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology (J Neuropathol Exp Neurol) Vol. 63 Issue 2 Pg. 170-9 (Feb 2004) ISSN: 0022-3069 [Print] England
• PMID: 14989603 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
• DNA-Binding Proteins
• Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
• Nerve Tissue Proteins
• OLIG1 protein, human

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aging
• Astrocytoma (metabolism, pathology)
• Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
• Blotting, Western
• Brain Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Cell Count
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• DNA-Binding Proteins (immunology, metabolism)
• Ependymoma (metabolism, pathology)
• Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (metabolism)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry (methods)
• Middle Aged
• Nerve Tissue Proteins (immunology, metabolism)
• Oligodendroglioma (metabolism, pathology)