Immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, biochemical and in vitro studies of a pineocytoma.

Abstract

Using both tumor specimen and cultured tumor cells, we have studied the differentiation of a pineocytoma by light and electron microscopy (EM) and immunohistochemical demonstration of glial, neuronal and neuroendocrine markers. Only interstitial cells were labeled with anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein and anti-S100 protein antibodies. Synaptophysin, neurofilaments and tau labeling was found in cells forming the pineocytomatous rosettes. Some cells also bound the anti-tryptophan hydroxylase antibody (TPOH), but no staining was seen after application of anti-chromogranin A or S-antigen antibodies. EM provided evidence for neurosensory differentiation demonstrating the presence of vesicle-crowned rodlets, cilia (9+0) and fibrous filaments. In culture, tumor cells proliferated slowly and showed positive immunolabeling for vimentin and TPOH. Expression of mRNA coding for TPOH, serotonin N-acetyltransferase, hydroxyindole-O-methyl-transferase and c-myc was found in the tumor using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. These results demonstrate neuronal differentiation of this pineocytoma and suggest that the neoplastic pineal cells are capable of synthesizing serotonin and melatonin.

• Authors: M Fèvre-Montange, A Jouvet, K Privat, H W Korf, J Champier, A Reboul, M Aguera, C Mottolese
• Journal: Acta neuropathologica (Acta Neuropathol) Vol. 95 Issue 5 Pg. 532-9 (May 1998) ISSN: 0001-6322 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 9600600 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• DNA Primers
• RNA
• Tryptophan Hydroxylase
• Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase
• Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase

Topics

• Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase (metabolism)
• Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase (metabolism)
• Blotting, Western
• Brain Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology, ultrastructure)
• Cells, Cultured
• DNA Primers
• Female
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Microscopy, Electron
• Middle Aged
• Pinealoma (metabolism, pathology, ultrastructure)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• RNA (isolation & purification, metabolism)
• Tryptophan Hydroxylase (metabolism)