globotriaosylceramide and Testicular-Neoplasms

Changes in the cell membrane glycolipid composition and metabolism are frequently associated with carcinogenesis. The accumulation of globo-series glycolipids is the most notable change of the germ cell glycolipid composition observed in testicular tumours. In this study, the expression of the globo-series core-structure, globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) was investigated in the preinvasive stage of testicular germ cell tumours, carcinoma in situ (CIS). Seventeen tissue specimens with CIS and 12 samples of overt testicular tumours were immunostained with anti-Gb3 monoclonal antibody 38-13. The accumulation of Gb3 was detected in 12 CIS samples (70.6%) and in 8 invasive tumour samples (66.7%), including seminoma, non-seminoma and a combined germ cell tumour. Our findings indicate that the composition of glycolipids shift at the common preinvasive stage of testicular germ cell tumours and confirm that Gb3 is a tumour-associated antigen of testicular germ cell neoplasia.

Topics: Carcinoma in Situ; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Testicular Neoplasms; Trihexosylceramides

Testicular tumor tissues and various normal tissues were examined by immunohistochemical techniques for expression of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) using anti-Gb3 monoclonal antibody (1A4). In formalin fixed paraffin-embedded specimens (31 cases), Gb3 was positive for every kind of elements of testicular germ cell tumors, especially it's incidence of positive staining were 100% in seminomas (16/16) and embryonal carcinomas (6/6). On the other hand, four cases of testicular malignant lymphoma were all negative for Gb3, and some normal testicle, liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen, ileum and rectum showed very weak reactivity with 1A4. In frozen materials (10 cases), similar incidence of positive staining with that of paraffin-embedded specimens were observed in drying only manner, 4% parafolm-aldehyde fixation following drying and 10 min. of acetone fixation following drying. Incidence of very strong staining in testicular germ cell tumors were as follows, 7/10 in 4% parafolmaldehyde fixation, 6/10 in drying only, 4/10 in 10 min. of acetone fixation and 7/22 in paraffinembedded specimens. Fixation with 30 min. of acetone fixation and 10 min. of 90% ethanol and treatment with 10 min. of chloroform:methanol (2:1, v/v) extremely decreased the reactivity with 1A4, suggesting that Gb3 exists mainly as glycolipid. Gb3 may thus be a useful histological marker for testicular germ cell tumor, and the tissue should be treated with the process of freezing followed by 4% parafolm-aldehyde fixation, drying only or 10 min. of acetone fixation, and formalin fixed paraffin-embedded specimens were also available enough.

Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Dysgerminoma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Paraffin Embedding; Testicular Neoplasms; Testis; Trihexosylceramides

Glycolipids were biochemically extracted from 14 specimens of seminoma, 2 of testicular malignant lymphoma (both of which were difficult to differentiate from seminoma with a high mitotic index) and 4 of normal testicle. The pattern of their expression was compared. Marked accumulation of globotriaosyl ceramide was observed in seminoma but it was present in a small amount in testicular malignant lymphoma. Differentiation between seminoma and malignant lymphoma is sometimes difficult by histopathological findings but it is considered to be greatly facilitated by examination of the pattern of glycolipid expression.

Topics: Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; Diagnosis, Differential; Dysgerminoma; Humans; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Male; Testicular Neoplasms; Trihexosylceramides

Glycolipids were extracted from testicular tumor tissues of 13 patients, and their pattern of expression compared with that of normal testicular tissue. The most conspicuous and consistent change in the tumor extracts was marked accumulation of CTH (ceramide trihexoside). Structural analysis by enzyme cleavage showed that CTH which accumulated in the tumor tissue was Gb3 (Gal alpha 1-4Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-Cer). Immunohistochemistry using anti-Gb3 monoclonal antibody (MAb) (1A4) also indicated massive accumulation of Gb3 in the tumor tissue. Gb3 may be a new marker of testicular tumors, especially seminomas, for which useful markers are so far lacking.

Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Dysgerminoma; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Globosides; Glycolipids; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Membrane Lipids; Radioimmunoassay; Staining and Labeling; Teratoma; Testicular Neoplasms; Testis; Trihexosylceramides