bromochloroacetic-acid and Glioma

Chordoid meningioma, World Health Organization grade II, is an uncommon variant of meningioma with a propensity for aggressive behavior and increased likelihood of recurrence. As such, recognition of this entity is important in cases that show similar morphologic overlap with other chondroid/myxoid neoplasms that can arise within or near the central nervous system. A formal comparison of the immunohistochemical features of chordoid meningioma versus tumors with significant histologic overlap has not been previously reported. In this study, immunohistochemical staining was performed with antibodies against D2-40, S100, pankeratin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), brachyury, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in 4 cases of chordoid glioma, 6 skeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, 10 chordoid meningiomas, 16 extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, 18 chordomas, 22 low-grade chondrosarcomas, and 27 enchondromas. Staining extent and intensity were evaluated semiquantitatively and mean values for each parameter were calculated. Immunostaining with D2-40 showed positivity in 100% of skeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, 96% of enchondromas, 95% of low-grade chondrosarcomas, 80% of chordoid meningiomas, and 75% of chordoid gliomas. Staining with S100 demonstrated diffuse, strong positivity in all (100%) chordoid gliomas, skeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, low-grade chondrosarcomas, and enchondromas, 94% of chordomas, and 81% of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, with focal, moderate staining in 40% of chordoid meningiomas. Pankeratin highlighted 100% of chordoid gliomas and chordomas, 38% of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, and 20% of chordoid meningiomas. EMA staining was positive in 100% of chordoid gliomas, 94% of chordomas, 90% of chordoid meningiomas, and 25% of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas. Brachyury was positive only in the chordomas (100%), whereas GFAP was positive only in the chordoid gliomas (100%). EMA was the most effective antibody for differentiating chordoid meningioma from skeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, low-grade chondrosarcoma, and enchondroma, whereas D2-40 was the most effective antibody for differentiating chordoid meningioma from extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma and chordoma. Our findings demonstrate that in conjunction with clinical and radiographic findings, immunohistochemical evaluation with a panel of D2-40, EMA, brachyury, and GFAP is most useful in distinguishing chordoid meningioma from chordoid glioma, skeletal myxoid

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; Biomarkers, Tumor; Child; Chondroma; Chondrosarcoma; Chordoma; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Fetal Proteins; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Male; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Middle Aged; Mucin-1; Predictive Value of Tests; S100 Proteins; T-Box Domain Proteins; Young Adult

Immunohistochemical analysis of 9 choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) and 3 choroid plexus carcinomas (CPCs) using a panel of antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), cytokeratin (CK), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), S-100 protein, vimentin (vim), and neuron specific enolase (NSE) is presented. Focal positivity was observed for GFAP in 11, vimentin in 7, cytokeratin in 2 and EMA in 3 cases. Diffuse and intense immunoreactivity for S-100 protein was seen in all papillomas, however, unreactive areas were noted in carcinomas. All cases exhibited focal to diffuse NSE positivity. Location and type of the tumour and age of the patient did not influence the staining pattern except for predominant S-100 positivity in papillomas. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the differential diagnosis or immunoreactivity patterns of these tumours.

Topics: Adult; Carcinoma; Child; Child, Preschool; Choroid Plexus Neoplasms; Female; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; Infant; Keratins; Male; Membrane Glycoproteins; Middle Aged; Mucin-1; Mucins; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; S100 Proteins; Sensitivity and Specificity; Vimentin

Most mammalian nucleated cells contain a cytoplasmic fibril system called intermediate filaments. Unlike other cytoskeletal proteins, the subunit proteins of intermediate filaments show a remarkable cell-type-specificity in their expression: mesenchymal, muscle, epithelial, glial and neuronal cells containing each their cell type specific filaments. In this review we discuss the possibilities to use antibodies to these filaments in the diagnosis and histogenetic analysis of human tumors. This approach is based on findings which indicate that these filaments retain their cell-type specific expression also in tumors.

Topics: Antibodies; Carcinoma; Cytoskeleton; Desmin; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; Intermediate Filaments; Keratins; Mesothelioma; Neoplasms; Rhabdomyosarcoma; Sarcoma; Vimentin

The cytoskeleton (CSK) of eukaryotic cells is composed of a complex interconnected network of filaments which is important in a wide variety of cellular functions including changes in cell shape, cell motility, mitosis, anchorage-dependent growth, and the localization of cellular organelles such as mitochondria, polyribosomes, and secretory granules. The various proteins comprising the cytoskeleton include actin in microfilaments, tubulin in microtubules, and the heterogeneous group of intermediate filament proteins that are associated with different cell types (keratin in epithelial cells, vimentin in fibroblasts, desmin in muscle cells, glial filament protein in glial cells, and the neurofilament protein subunits in neural tissue). Many other proteins in glial cells, and the neurofilament protein subunits in neural tissue). Many other proteins are closely associated with the cytoskeleton and influence its organization. In neoplastic cells, the expression of these different CSK proteins, especially the intermediate filament proteins, reflects their morphologic and functional differentiation. The carcinomas contain keratin; identification of individual keratin components may allow further sub-classification of carcinomas which is consistent with their tissue of origin. The sarcomas of muscle origin contain desmin. Vimentin is found primarily with cells of mesenchymal origin, but may coexist with other intermediate filament proteins in other tumors. One example is the coexistence of keratin and vimentin in tumors, such as mesotheliomas, which are derived from epithelial cells of embryonic origin. Glial fibrillary acidic protein is the most specific marker for glial tumors. Tumors of neural origin are characterized by the presence of neurofilament subunits. Therefore, analysis of CSK composition would be useful in diagnosis of clinical specimens and aid in studies of lineage relationships of neoplasms. Although no consistent differences in cytoskeletal structure between neoplastic and normal cells have been identified so far, the presence of more subtle biochemical alterations in the cytoskeletal structure of neoplastic cells that contributes to malignant behavior has not been ruled out. Since the cytoskeletal network plays an important role in cell shape and cell locomotion, which in turn are thought to be involved in growth control, invasion, and metastasis, further work is directed at identifying the various alterations in cytoskeletal architecture that

Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Actins; Animals; Astrocytes; Carcinoma; Cell Differentiation; Cell Division; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Cytoskeleton; Desmin; Epithelium; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Granulocytes; Humans; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Keratins; Leukemia; Lymphoma; Macrophages; Microtubules; Molecular Weight; Muscles; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Neurons; Sarcoma; Tissue Distribution; Vimentin

In most cell types intermediate or 10-mm filaments (IF) are a major cytoskeletal organization and, thus, directly or indirectly influence the structural appearance of the cytoplasm. In line with the cell type-specific expression patterns of different IF proteins in normal animal and human tissue, IF typing distinguishes the major tumor groups, as documented by results with several hundred human tumors classified by conventional histologic methods. Carcinomas are characterized by cytokeratins, sarcomas of muscle cells by desmin, nonmuscle sarcomas by vimentin, and gliomas by glial fibrillary acidic protein. Furthermore, certain tumors originating from the sympathetic nervous system, e.g., ganglioneuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and at least some neuroblastomas, are characterized by the presence of neurofilaments. Carcinomas can often be further subdivided with regard to their possible derivation by examining their cytokeratin profiles. The IF type characteristic of the cell of origin seems to be kept not only in the primary tumor but usually also in solid metastases. In general, tumors do not acquire additional IF types. Therefore, IF typing can provide an unambiguous and rapid characterization in certain cases, that are difficult to diagnose by conventional techniques. Some useful examples are the small cell tumors of childhood and the discrimination between undifferentiated carcinoma and lymphoma. IF typing of a few tumors has already led to a revision or reconsideration of the original light microscopic diagnosis. The combined results indicate that at least certain carcinomas, as well as certain other tumor types, seem to arise by the selective multiplication of a particular and identifiable cell type present in the normal tissue. The procedure is not restricted to tumor material. IF typing of Mallory bodies, Alzheimer's disease tangles, certain myopathies, and the cells of the amniotic fluid offers further interesting applications. Thus, IF typing should become a valuable new tool both in histology and surgical pathology.

Topics: Amniotic Fluid; Animals; Carcinoma; Cells, Cultured; Cytoskeleton; Desmin; Embryo, Mammalian; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Ganglioneuroma; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Keratins; Muscular Diseases; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Neuroblastoma; Pheochromocytoma; Sarcoma; Vimentin

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and keratins (KRT) are key factors in regulating tumor progression rely on emerging evidence. However, the prognostic values of GGT and KRT isoforms and their regulation patterns at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels have been rarely studied. In this study, we aimed to identify cooperative prognostic biomarker signature conducted by GGT and KRT genes for overall survival prediction and discrimination in patients with low-grade glioma (LGG) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). To this end, we employed a differential expression network analysis on LGG-NORMAL, GBM-NORMAL, and LGG-GBM datasets. Then, all the differentially expressed genes related to a GO term "GGT activity" were excluded. After that, for obtained potential biomarkers genes, differentially expressed lncRNAs were used to detect cis-regulatory elements (CREs) and trans-regulatory elements (TREs). To scrutinize the regulation on the cytoplasm, potential interactions between these biomarker genes and DElncRNAs were predicted. Our analysis, for the first time, revealed that GGT6, KRT33B, and KRT75 in LGG, GGT2, and KRT75 in GBM and KRT75 for LGG to GBM transformation tumors can be novel cooperative prognostic biomarkers that may be applicable for early detection of LGG, GBM, and LGG to GBM transformation tumors. Consequently, KRT75 was the most important gene being regulated at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels significantly. Furthermore, CREs and their relative genes were coordinative up-regulated or down-regulated suggesting CREs as regulation points of these genes. In the end, up-regulation of most DElncRNAs that had physical interaction with target genes pints out that the transcripted genes may have obstacles for translation process.

Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Brain Neoplasms; gamma-Glutamyltransferase; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Humans; Keratins; Protein Isoforms

Currently used glioblastoma cultures have many disadvantages and are being replaced by short-term cultures. However, these may include normal brain cells.. A comparative model of normal and glioma cultures is lacking. A significant contributory factor is because cultures from adult human brain contain small amounts of cells with glial phenotypes. The predominant population of flat or spindle shaped cells does not express glial markers and are often termed as "glia-like".. Cryopreserved glioblastoma cultures from 28 bioptic samples were examined by immunofluorescence using antibodies to intermediate filaments (IF): glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), cytokeratins (CK), nestin (Nes), vimentin (Vim) and neurofilaments (NF).. In short-term glioblastoma cultures GFAP-positive cells occured at higher percentages in 3/28 cultures and in lower percentages in further 5 cultures. Subpopulation of nestin positive cells were observed in all cultures and CK-positive cells were found in 25/28 cultures. All cells in all cultures were positively stained only for vimentin and negatively for NF. Cells grew slowly in 5 cultures which showed early proliferation arrest between passages 7 to 8. A further 23 cultures showed growth arrest by passages 10 to 15.. The presence of normal cells in short-term glioblastoma cultures may be caused by the infiltrative growth of these tumors. Our comparative analysis of morphological, growth and cytoskeletal properties revealed similarities between glioblastoma and normal brain cultures. In this study, the majority (28/30) of short-term glioblastoma showed limited life spans, similar to normal cells lacking spontaneous immortalization. The use of short-term glioblastoma cultures has two main problematic areas: cultures may contain a major subpopulation of normal "glia-like" cells; or they may contain the inital phases of spontaneously immortalized glioblastoma cells bearing properties of permanent cell lines (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 19).

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Humans; Intermediate Filaments; Keratins; Nestin; Neuroglia; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vimentin

Metastatic carcinoma, which is a common malignant tumor seen in the central nervous system is often difficult to distinguish from glioblastoma multiforme. In general, neoplastic cells maintain fidelity in the expression of parent cell intermediate filament and immunohistochemistry remains the mainstay in diagnosis. A panel consisting of GFAP (usually positive for astrocytic tumors) and cytokeratin (usually positive for metastatic carcinomas) is most commonly used for this purpose. However, co-expression of two or more classes of intermediate filament proteins by neoplasms is a widespread phenomenon and there are reports of glial neoplasms expressing keratin markers. Our aims and objectives were to analyse the expression of both cytokeratin and GFAP in different glial tumors and metastatic carcinomas. Cases were collected for a period of two years. All the cases were diagnosed as primary or metastatic intracranial tumors. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded thin sections were taken on egg-albumin coated slides and immunostaining with GFAP and polyclonal cytokeratin was done. Forty-five tumors were analysed, including 35 glial neoplasms and 10 metastatic carcinomas of which 7 of the 32 astrocytic neoplasms (22%) showed focal immunoreactivity with pancytokeratin. All of the glial tumors but none of the metastatic carcinomas were positive with GFAP. So our conclusion was that co-expression of GFAP and CK is a fairly common phenomenon, especially in case of undifferentiated and high grade gliomas and this must be kept in mind while differentiating these cases from metastatic carcinoma, as CK positivity does not rule out the diagnosis of a glial neoplasm. Further studies with an expanded panel of CK is most useful for this.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Biomarkers, Tumor; Brain Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Diagnosis, Differential; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Oligodendroglioma

Chordoid glioma has been recently described as a slow-growing neoplasm with chordoid appearance, occurring exclusively in the regions of the third ventricle and hypothalamus of middle-aged women. We experienced a case of a 48-year-old woman with a suprasellar tumor composed of chordoid glioma and Rathke's cleft cyst, which was confirmed by histopathological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic examinations. Histologically, chordoid glioma comprised the major part of the tumor, and the prominent Rathke's cleft cysts were distributed focally in the same tumor tissue without any transitions. Chordoid glioma was immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100 protein and vimentin, and focally positive for epithelial membrane antigen and CD34, while cytokeratin highlighted epithelial cells lining Rathke's cleft cysts. Ultrastructural examination of the chordoid glioma revealed short cytoplasmic processes, intermediate filaments, intercellular junctions of zonular adherens type, basal lamina, secretory granules and pinocytic vesicles. The ultrastructural observations of the current case are similar to those of the subcommisural organ, although cell body zonation or microvilli were not evident. The coexistence of chordoid glioma and Rathke's cleft cyst has not been reported previously and may represent a collision tumor.

Topics: Antigens, CD34; Central Nervous System Cysts; Choroid Plexus Neoplasms; Female; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Mucin-1; S100 Proteins; Vimentin

Plectin, the largest and most versatile member of the cytolinker/plakin family of proteins characterized to date, has a tripartite structure comprising a central 200 nm-long (&agr;)-helical rod domain flanked by large globular domains. The C-terminal domain comprises a short tail region preceded by six highly conserved repeats (each 28-39 kDa), one of which (repeat 5) contains plectin's intermediate filament (IF)-binding site. We used recombinant and native proteins to assess the effects of plectin repeat 5-binding to IF proteins of different types. Quantitative Eu(3+)-based overlay assays showed that plectin's repeat 5 domain bound to type III IF proteins (vimentin) with preference over type I and II cytokeratins 5 and 14. The ability of both types of IF proteins to self-assemble into filaments in vitro was impaired by plectin's repeat 5 domain in a concentration-dependent manner, as revealed by negative staining and rotary shadowing electron microscopy. This effect was much more pronounced in the case of vimentin compared to cytokeratins 5/14. Preassembled filaments of both types became more and more crosslinked upon incubation with increasing concentrations of plectin repeat 5. However, at high proportions of plectin to IF proteins, disassembly of filaments occurred. Again, vimentin filaments proved considerably more sensitive towards disassembly than those composed of cytokeratins 5 and 14. In general, IFs formed from recombinant proteins were found to be slightly more responsive towards plectin influences than their native counterparts. A dose-dependent plectin-inflicted collapse and putative disruption of IFs was also observed in vivo after ectopic expression of vimentin and plectin's repeat 5 domain in cotransfected vimentin-deficient SW13 (vim(-)) cells. Our results suggest an involvement of plectin not only in crosslinking and stabilization of cytoskeletal IF networks, but also in regulation of their dynamics.

Topics: Animals; Binding Sites; Binding, Competitive; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Glioma; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Intermediate Filaments; Keratins; Mice; Morphogenesis; Negative Staining; Neoplasm Proteins; Plectin; Protein Binding; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Rats; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vimentin

Keratin intermediate filaments (Ifs) are specific for epithelial cell differentiation. This study demonstrates the presence of keratin in two recently established human glioblastoma cell lines 8-MG-BA and 42-MG-BA. Immunofluorescence staining was performed on cells within passage 230 to 235 using monoclonal pan-cytokeratin antibodies. The cells were analyzed during several DIV at different cell density. Keratin-positive stained cells reached 5 to 7% in 8-MG-BA and less than 0.1% in 42-MG-BA cell line. The presence of keratin-positive cells was independent on cell density and days in vitro. Keratin-positive cells appeared unevenly distributed in both cell lines. They were observed as single or areas of keratin-positive cells. The morphological features of keratin-positive and keratin-negative cells were similar. The results are discussed with respect to previous studies on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin to show the heterogeneity of IFs expression in glioma cell lines.

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Genetic Heterogeneity; Glioma; Humans; Keratins; Tumor Cells, Cultured

We have encountered a series of 8 third ventricular neoplasms with a distinctive chordoid appearance that appear to represent a clinicopathologic entity. The tumors occurred in 7 females and 1 male, ranging in age from 31 to 70 years. In all cases, imaging studies showed a large well-circumscribed third ventricular mass; a cystic component was noted in 2. The tumors consisted of cords and clusters of cohesive, oval-to-polygonal epithelioid cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, relatively uniform round-to-oval nuclei, and inconspicuous nucleoli. Mitotic activity was absent. The stroma consisted of scant, coarse fibrillar processes, as well as prominent, slightly basophilic, extracellular mucin resembling that in chordomas. Throughout the tumor, and surrounding its well-defined borders, were infiltrates of mature lymphocytes and plasma cells. Russell bodies were prominent in the latter. Adjacent brain tissue showed reactive changes with gliosis and numerous Rosenthal fibers. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were strongly reactive for GFAP and vimentin, but negative or only weakly staining for EMA. The MIB-1 labeling index was approximately 1%. Ultrastructural examination of 4 cases revealed focal microvilli, scattered "intermediate" junctions, and focal basal lamina formation. Neither desmosomes nor cilia were seen. Total resections were achieved in 2 cases; only subtotal removals were achieved in 6. Subsequent tumor enlargement was noted in 3 of the 6 patients with incomplete resection, and of these, two died at post-operative intervals of 8 months and 3 years. The other patient survives 4 years post-operatively with stable residual disease. Of the 2 patients with total resection, 1 was lost to follow-up; the other, during a brief follow-up period, did well without evidence of recurrence.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antigens, Nuclear; Brain Neoplasms; Cerebral Ventricles; Diagnosis, Differential; Fatal Outcome; Female; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Ki-67 Antigen; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Mucin-1; Nuclear Proteins; Vimentin

Intracranial nervous-system tumours were diagnosed in three of 1092 bovine necropsy specimens submitted to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Obihiro University between April 1983 and March 1996. A fourth case was a referral from the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Rakuno Gakuen University. Histopathological examination revealed four types of tumour: intracranial malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST), choroid plexus papilloma, differentiated fibrillary astrocytoma and anaplastic (malignant) astrocytoma. Immunohistochemically, the intracranial MPNST was strongly positive for S-100 protein and vimentin, and in places weakly positive for glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP). The choroid plexus papilloma was strongly positive for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), keratin, S-100 protein and vimentin, and positive for GFAP in places. The cytoplasm and fibrous component in the differentiated fibrillary astrocytoma were strongly positive for S-100 protein and GFAP. The anaplastic (malignant) astrocytoma was strongly positive for vimentin, S-100 protein and keratin in the cytoplasm and fibrous processes, and weakly positive for GFAP and EMA in places. Myelin basic protein (MBP) and synaptophysin showed a weak positive reaction in the marginal areas of the tumour.

Topics: Animals; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Mucin-1; Myelin Basic Protein; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms; S100 Proteins; Vimentin

We examined the expression of glial- and neuronal-specific mRNAs within human gliomas using in situ hybridization. We found that low-grade astrocytomas contained a high number of proteolipid protein (PLP) mRNA-positive cells and that the number of PLP-stained cells decreased markedly with increasing tumor grade. Interestingly, the ratio of PLP mRNA-stained cells:myelin basic protein (MBP) mRNA-stained cells in normal white matter and low-grade astrocytoma was about 2:1 but approached 1:1 with increasing tumor grade. This parameter appeared to be a good indicator of tumor infiltration in astrocytomas, so we tested this in the analysis of other gliomas. Unlike astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas were found consistently to contain few PLP mRNA- or MBP mRNA-expressing cells. In contrast, gemistocytic astrocytomas, typically highly invasive tumors, contained high numbers of PLP-positive cells and a ratio of PLP mRNA:MBP mRNA-stained cells of about 1.5:1, similar to low-grade astrocytomas. Nonradioactive in situ hybridization also enabled the morphological identification of specific cells. For example, gemistocytic astrocytes, which were found to be strongly vimentin mRNA positive, contained little glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA and did not stain for PLP or MBP mRNAs. Neuronal mRNAs, such as neurofilament 68, were observed in small numbers of entrapped neurons within gliomas but were uninformative with respect to predicting tumor grade. Our results suggest that oligodendrocytes survive low-grade tumor infiltration and that glial tumor cells, unlike cell lines derived from them, do not express oligodendrocyte or neuronal mRNAs. In addition, the expression of mRNAs for the two major myelin protein genes, PLP and MBP, could be used to predict the grade and extent of tumor infiltration in astrocytomas.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; In Situ Hybridization; Keratins; Myelin Basic Protein; Myelin Proteolipid Protein; Neurofilament Proteins; Neuroglia; Neurons; Oligodendroglia; Oligodendroglioma; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Neoplasm; Vimentin

We describe two histologically unusual cases of ependymoma of the filum terminale. Both tumors occurred in 14-year-old boys. An intradural encapsulated mass attached to the filum terminale was demonstrated radiologically in both cases and totally resected at surgery. In case 1 the neoplasm was uniformly composed of pleomorphic giant cells and was without perivascular pseudorosettes or myxopapillary changes. Case 2 was a myxopapillary ependymoma with multiple foci of pleomorphic giant cells. Neither tumor had prominent mitotic activity, necrosis, or endothelial proliferation. Both tumors were immunopositive for cytokeratin and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Ultrastructural features included basal laminae, interdigitating cell processes, microvilli, cilia, intercellular junctions, and cytoplasmic intermediate filaments. Cytogenetic analysis in case 1 showed a hypodiploid karyotype with monosomy of chromosomes 1, 10, 14, 16, 20, and 22. We interpret both tumors as most consistent with a variant of ependymoma. Because of the unique gigantocellular light microscopic appearance of the entire tumor in case 1, we propose classifying this tumor as a new morphologic subtype: giant cell ependymoma of the filum terminale. The combination of gigantocellular and myxopapillary features in case 2 supports a histogenetic relationship between giant cell ependymoma and myxopapillary ependymoma.

Topics: Adolescent; Cauda Equina; Ependymoma; Giant Cells; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Male; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms

Intermediate filament and S100 expression was studied in five cases of choroid plexus papilloma. All the cases showed positivity for S100 and Nimentin. Cytokeratin and glial fibrillary protein (GFAP) intermediate filaments were present in 80 pc of the cases. None of the cases expressed epithelial membrane antigen. These results confirm the divergent differentiation of choroid plexus tumours.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Child, Preschool; Choroid Plexus Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Infant; Keratins; Male; S100 Proteins; Vimentin

Immunoreactivities of 35 different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that detect intermediate filaments were studied systematically on serial cryostat sections of 14 well-defined human gliomas (five astrocytomas, three oligodendrogliomas, six glioblastomas) and on normal brain. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, desmin, neurofilaments, and broad-specificity keratin MAbs, as well as MAbs that recognize several or only single keratin polypeptides, were used. Unexpected reactivities were surprisingly frequent. As these may lead to diagnostic confusion and misinterpretation on this material, the authors investigated these phenomena more thoroughly. Four major sources of artifactual staining were found: 1) positive staining attributable to the rabbit gamma G immunoglobulins used in the alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase technique; 2) certain desmin and keratin MAbs cross-reacted with astrocytic glia and with other brain-specific epitopes; 3) technical difficulties; 4) some MAbs directed against neurofilaments and keratins showed unexpected reactivities only on individual anaplastic gliomas. The implications of these findings for intermediate filament typing of neuropathologic material are discussed.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Cross Reactions; Desmin; False Positive Reactions; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Keratins; Staining and Labeling

The authors add to the literature an account of four aggressive glial neoplasms characterized by diffuse cytoplasmic lipidization and a cohesive architectural disposition in epithelioid nests and sheets. These neoplasms arose in the cerebral hemispheres of adults and tended to a circumscribed neuroradiologic presentation that in two instances prompted an unrewarding preoperative search for an extracranial primary. One represented recurrent disease in a patient being followed for a biopsy-proven low-grade astrocytoma. Three cases were collected by way of consultation from pathologists uncertain as to their primary versus metastatic derivation. The apparent expression of cytokeratins and epithelial membrane antigen further conspired to obscure the glial lineage of these peculiar neoplasms, which are best regarded as tumors of the astrocytic series.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Brain Neoplasms; Female; Glioma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Male; Membrane Glycoproteins; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Mucin-1; Neoplasm Metastasis

The peroxidase anti-peroxidase technique was used for localization of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin (VM) in 19 ependymal tumors in order to determine if a unique pattern of intermediate filament (IF) expression could be demonstrated. Cytokeratin (CK) immunoreactivity was examined in a subgroup of 7 tumors with papillary pattern. Nineteen non-ependymal neuroectodermal tumors were used as controls. Ependymomas, subependymomas and astrocytomas were positive for both IF. Oligodendrogliomas, oligodendroglial portions of mixed gliomas and the majority of medulloblastomas were negative for GFAP and VM. Areas of poor differentiation in all tumors demonstrated little expression of any IF. A composite ependymoma/choroid plexus papilloma showed the presence of GFAP, VM and CK in the papillomatous portion only. Four papillary ependymomas were negative for CK. This study emphasizes the parallel distribution of GFAP and VM in well differentiated ependymomas and other glial tumors and casts doubt upon the concept of VM as a marker for de-differentiation in neuroectodermal neoplasia.

Topics: Cytoskeleton; Ependymoma; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Intermediate Filaments; Keratins; Vimentin

Topics: Alopecia; Brain Neoplasms; Cobalt Radioisotopes; Facial Dermatoses; Forehead; Glioma; Hair Diseases; Humans; Keratins; Male; Middle Aged; Scalp Dermatoses; Skin Pigmentation

Topics: Cauda Equina; Child; Glioma; Humans; Keratins; Male; Medulloblastoma; Meningitis; Myelography; Neuroblastoma; Physical Examination; Retinoblastoma; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Spinal Puncture; Steroids