myelin-basic-protein and Neoplasms--Nerve-Tissue

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; B-Lymphocytes; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Cytoskeleton; Dermatitis, Atopic; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunoglobulins; Langerhans Cells; Lectins; Microscopy, Electron; Myelin Basic Protein; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Papillomaviridae; Peanut Agglutinin; Plant Lectins; Skin Diseases; Skin Neoplasms; T-Lymphocytes; Tumor Virus Infections

The technical modalities of the immunohistochemical demonstration of antigens of neuroectodermal differentiation and of mesenchymal nature in neural tissue are discussed. On the main antigens (S-100 protein, GFAP, Vimentin, Neuronal specific Enolase, neurofilaments, myelin basic protein, carboanhydrase C, FVIII/RAg, laminin, fibronectin) the most important findings are described and critically considered. They are interpreted in the light of the present knowledge on the problems of differentiation of the oncotypes and on particular aspects of bio-pathology of brain tumors.

Topics: Astrocytes; Fixatives; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Laminin; Medulloblastoma; Myelin Basic Protein; Naphthol AS D Esterase; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene; Staining and Labeling; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; Vimentin

Nine examples of a cellular peripheral neural tumor (CPNT) were identified in a review of 139 peripheral nerve sheath neoplasms in children, which included 60 neurofibromas and 16 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. The mean age at diagnosis of these nine patients was 7 years, with six presenting in the first decade of life and four were noted at birth. The male:female ratio was 0.5. Topographically, the tumors were located in the extremities, 4; head and neck, 3; and trunk, 2. One or another stigmata of von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis (VRN) was present in four patients. After initial resection, seven children remained well, but two developed a recurrence; the histology was identical to the original tumor in one case but overt malignant transformation had occurred in the second. This case was the only tumor-related death in this series. The CPNT was a circumscribed but nonencapsulated mass measuring 1.8-7.5 cm in greatest dimension in the subcutaneous and deep soft tissues and had a compact spindle cell pattern, occasional mitoses, and minor foci of typical neurofibroma. Immunohistochemical staining revealed vimentin expression in all seven cases, Leu-7 in six, myelin basic protein and S-100 protein in five, desmin in one, and actin in none. In contrast to neurofibroma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, CPNT tended to occur earlier, either congenitally or in the first decade, and slightly more commonly in females. The anatomical distribution and pattern of immunoreactivity were similar to neurofibroma. However, the cellularity and mitotic activity of these neoplasms were sufficiently disquieting as to raise concerns about the prognosis, and in one case, the tumor behaved in an unequivocally malignant fashion. When a peripheral neural tumor with the pathologic features described in this study is encountered, wide excision and careful clinical follow-up are recommended.

Topics: Actins; Adolescent; Adult; Antigens, Differentiation; CD57 Antigens; Child; Child, Preschool; Desmin; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Infant; Male; Myelin Basic Protein; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Neurofibroma; S100 Proteins; Vimentin

One hundred and two cases of benign nerve sheath tumors (NSTs) were studied with a combined approach using routine light microscopy (LM), immunohistochemistry (IH) for myelin basic protein (MBP) and S-100 protein as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with the aim of obtaining greater insight into the true nature of these neoplasms, and also to establish the importance of IH and TEM in their diagnosis. Myelin basic protein was not identified in any of these tumors, whereas S-100 protein was positive to a variable degree in both schwannomas and neurofibromas. TEM revealed that Schwann cells predominated in tumors which were strongly positive for S-100 protein and appeared as schwannomas by LM. However, neurofibromas showing a variable patchy positivity for S-100 were composed of an admixture of Schwann cells, fibroblast-like cells and intermediate cells considered to be modified Schwann cells. Perineurial cells in typical form were not seen. It is concluded that all NSTs are basically of Schwann cell origin and that the intermediate cells and fibroblast-like cells are variants of Schwann cells. The different morphological appearances and biological behaviour of schwannomas and neurofibromas may be related to some other factors like micro-environment or genetic predisposition. Further, both IH, especially for S-100 protein, and TEM play an important role in establishing their diagnosis.

Topics: Cranial Nerve Neoplasms; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Microscopy; Microscopy, Electron; Myelin Basic Protein; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Neurilemmoma; Neurofibroma; S100 Proteins; Schwann Cells; Skin Neoplasms; Spinal Cord Neoplasms