HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Coexpression of neuroendocrine markers and epithelial cytoskeletal proteins in bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Abstract
Neuroendocrine (NE) neoplasms of the human bronchopulmonary tract were examined by electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and gel electrophoresis of cytoskeletal proteins from microdissected tissue samples. All samples (carcinoids, well-differentiated NE carcinoma, NE carcinomas of intermediate type, NE carcinomas of the small cell type) contained significant numbers of cells that immunostained for one or more of the following neuroendocrine markers tested: bombesin, calcitonin, ACTH, leu-enkephalin, gastrin, serotonin, somatostatin, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, vasoactive intestinal peptide, glucagon, insulin, substance P, and neuron-specific enolase. Electron microscopy revealed typical NE cell features, including variable abundant and frequently heterogeneous neurosecretory granules. Tumor cells contained filaments specifically stained with different conventional and monoclonal antibodies to cytokeratins and displayed punctate plasma membrane staining with antibodies to desmoplakins, in agreement with the electron microscopic demonstration of tonofilament bundles and desmosomes. Immunocytochemistry for NE markers and cytoskeletal proteins on consecutive sections revealed both cytokeratins and neuroendocrine substances in single cells. Using gel electrophoresis of cytoskeletal proteins of tissue regions extracted with high salt buffer and detergent, we could detect, in the tumors tested, appreciable amounts of cytokeratin polypeptides 8, 18, and 19, i.e., major cytokeratins also found in certain other lung carcinomas such as adenocarcinomas. Tumor cells were not significantly stained with antibodies to other intermediate filament proteins such as vimentin, desmin, glial filament protein, and neurofilament protein. The results show that NE substances can be synthesized in cells containing a typical epithelial cytoskeleton, i.e., cytokeratin filaments and desmosomes. These findings support the notion of an epithelial character of these tumors and appear in contrast with recent reports that neurofilaments are the only type of intermediate filaments present in carcinoids and other pulmonary NE tumors. These observations may have important implications for the histogenesis of NE carcinomas and for diagnostic pathology.
AuthorsG A Blobel, V E Gould, R Moll, I Lee, M Huszar, B Geiger, W W Franke
JournalLaboratory investigation; a journal of technical methods and pathology (Lab Invest) Vol. 52 Issue 1 Pg. 39-51 (Jan 1985) ISSN: 0023-6837 [Print] United States
PMID2981372 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase
Topics
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (analysis)
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic (ultrastructure)
  • Carcinoma, Basosquamous (ultrastructure)
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell (ultrastructure)
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins (analysis)
  • Electrophoresis, Agar Gel
  • Epithelium (ultrastructure)
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue (ultrastructure)
  • Neurosecretory Systems (metabolism)
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase (analysis)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: