Is helodermin produced by medullary thyroid carcinoma cells and normal C-cells? Immunocytochemical evidence.

Abstract

Helodermin is a VIP/secretin-like 35-amino acid peptide originally isolated from the venom of the lizard Gila monster. Recently, helodermin-immunoreactive material was demonstrated in mammalian salivary glands, brain and gut. In the present study 8 human medullary thyroid carcinomas as well as 4 normal thyroid glands were examined immunocytochemically for the presence of helodermin using an antiserum raised against helodermin-(5-35) that does not cross-react with VIP or secretin. Cells displaying helodermin-like immunoreactivity were found in all tumours examined except one. On the whole the helodermin-immunoreactive cells had the same distribution as those storing calcitonin, suggesting coexistence of the two peptides in most of the tumour cells. Also normal human C-cells displayed helodermin immunoreactivity. The results suggest that a peptide chemically related to helodermin is a constituent of human medullary thyroid carcinoma cells as well as of normal C-cells.

• Authors: F Sundler, J Christophe, P Robberecht, N Yanaihara, C Yanaihara, T Grunditz, R Håkanson
• Journal: Regulatory peptides (Regul Pept) Vol. 20 Issue 1 Pg. 83-9 (Jan 1988) ISSN: 0167-0115 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 3281190 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Gastrointestinal Hormones
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• Peptides
• heliodermin

Topics

• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Gastrointestinal Hormones (biosynthesis)
• Humans
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• Peptide Biosynthesis
• Peptides (analysis)
• Thyroid Gland (cytology, metabolism, pathology)
• Thyroid Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)