Virchows Archiv

Schröder, Sören; Mendorf, Axel; Achilles, Eike; Dietel, Manfred; Padberg, Barbara; Beisiegel, Ulrike; Dralle, Henning; Bressel, Max; Klöppel, Günter

doi: 10.1007/BF02190525pmid: 2114700

The monoclonal antibody D11 is a valuable aid in the accurate typing of adrenal tumours as, in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedding material, strong nuclear D11 positivity was observed only in adrenocortical cells in 190 neoplasms (including 100 adrenal tumours). This pattern was demonstrated for all zona glomerulosa cells in 27 normal adrenals and for the neoplastic cells of 15 adrenocortical adenomas derived from that zone, as judged from clinically evident hyperaldosteronism. Normal cells of zona fasciculata and reticularis also showed strong diffuse D11 immunostaining and the same nuclear plus cytoplasmic D11 reactivity was evident in 15 benign and malignant adrenocortical neoplasms derived from these zones, documented by hypercortisolism. Cytoplasmic and/or nuclear D11 staining made topohistogenetic typing possible in 15 non-functioning cortical tumours. D11 immunostaining gave negative results in 50 specimens containing normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic adrenomedullary cells. In addition, absence of D11 reactivity was recorded in 4 adrenal metastases of extra-adrenal carcinomas, 5 paragangliomas, 25 primary renal carcinomas and 59 of 60 primary thyroid carcinomas. D11 immunocytochemistry allows the accurate typing of benign and malignant adrenocortical neoplasms, irrespective of histology and function. With this method, primary adrenocortical tumours can be separated from carcinomas metastatic to the adrenal gland, including secondary tumours of similar phenotype (such as renal carcinomas). By exclusion, D11 negativity provides evidence of the medullary origin of primary adrenal tumours even in the absence of clinical, structural, histochemical and conventional immunohistochemical indicators of phaeochromocytoma.

Kaneko, Yoichi; Takeshita, Iwao; Matsushima, Toshio; Iwaki, Toru; Tashima, Takatoshi; Fukui, Masashi

doi: 10.1007/BF02190526pmid: 1695040

An immunohistochemical study on ependymal tumours was performed in order to determine what relationships exist between histological subtypes and epithelial or glial characteristics. Thirty-eight ependymal tumours were examined with antibodies to cytokeratin (CK), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), transthyretin (TTR) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) using the avidin-biotin-complex technique. They included 23 ependymomas, 13 anaplastic ependymomas, and 2 myxopapillary ependymomas. Only 3 of the 23 ependymomas were positive with EMA but 19 reacted with GFAP. None of them were positive with CK. Six of the 13 anaplastic ependymomas were positive with EMA, 3 with CK and 10 with GFAP. Five of the 6 anaplastic ependymomas which had epithelial marker proteins were either negative or weakly positive for GFAP. The present study demonstrates that most benign ependymomas exhibit GFAP positivity while the anaplastic ones tend to suppress their glial nature in favour of epithelial differrentiation. However, ependymal tumours showed few characteristics of choroid plexus cells; only one of the examined cases was positive for TTR.

Niendorf, Axel; Rath, Matthias; Wolf, Katrin; Peters, Susanne; Arps, Hartmut; Beisiegel, Ulrike; Dietel, Manfred

doi: 10.1007/BF02190527pmid: 2142355

Lipoprotein(a), as an atherogenic particle, represents an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. In the present study the morphological distribution of apoprotein (a) and apoprotein B within the arterial wall is described. Apoprotein B, a constituent of very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein and lipoprotein(a) has previously been demonstrated in atheromatous lesions. Lipoprotein(a) possesses an additional protein, designated apoprotein (a). Autopsy material (n=74) from the left coronary artery and from the thoracic aorta has been examined by means of immunohistochemistry and both apoprotein (a) and apoprotein B were detected, primarily associated with the extracellular matrix and accumulating in lesions in the arterial wall. The staining pattern for both antigens was almost always found to be congruent, suggesting that the detection of (a)-antigen has to be attributed at least in part to the presence of lipoprotein(a). It is concluded that both low-density lipoprotein and lipoprotein(a) have an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Torikata, Chikao; Mukai, Makio

doi: 10.1007/BF02190528pmid: 2164277

So-called minute pulmonary chemodectoma is a curious, small lung tumour found mainly in women. The nature and origin of the proliferating cells are still obscure. In the first report on the tumour, the component cells were described as resembling chemoreceptor cells and the tumour was named chemodectoma. However, electron microscopic studies of the tumour have revealed no evidence of neuronal characteristics and have shown a close resemblance to meningothelial cells. In this study, the electron microscopic findings were similar to those previously reported but in one of the two cases, tumour cells were filled with abundant cytofilaments, giving them an occasional dense, patch-like appearance. Immunostaining for myosin and vimentin was positive in all tumour cells, but epithelial membrane antigen staining was not seen. These findings indicate that the tumour might have its origin from muscle cells.

Lotz, Suzanne; Caselitz, Jörg; Tschakert, Holger; Rehpenning, Wolfgang; Seifert, Gerhard

doi: 10.1007/BF02190529pmid: 2114690

Parotid and submandibular glands of miniature pigs were exposed to 36 Gy X-irradiation given as 6×6 Gy in 3 weeks. Half of the animals received orciprenaline and carbachol before each dose. The effects were analysed 6 months later by light and electron microscopy. Ultrastructural examination showed less change in the pretreated glands. Semi-quantitative light microscopic data confirmed the significance of the differences. Acinar cells of both glands were significantly more numerous (P<0.01) and the cells were better preserved (P<0.01) in the pretreated group. The effect was more pronounced in the parotid gland, which appeared almost normal. Intercalated ducts of the parotid glands (P<0.01) and striated ducts of the submandibular glands (P<0.05) showed less change in pretreated animals. The findings confirm the radioprotective effect of pharmacologically induced degranulation of acinar cells. The biological effects of the radiation schedule (cumulative radiation effect value 18.76) as well as the dosage of orciprenaline and carbachol are within the normal range of medical treatment. Similar results may be expected from future studies in man.

Zimmer, Gisela; Schaible, Ulrich; Kramer, Michael; Mall, Gerhard; Museteanu, Crisan; Simon, Markus

doi: 10.1007/BF02190530pmid: 2114691

Recently, we described the severe combined immunodeficency (scid) mouse as a laboratory model forB. burgdorferi infection. Scid mice inoculated with the virulent low-passage tick isolateBorrelia burgdorferi ZS7 developed a severe pancarditis involving endocardium, myocardium and epicardium in the absence of functionalB- orT-cells. Soon after inoculation perivascular infiltration was observed, later diffuse infiltration of the interstitium of the subendocardial and subepicardial areas was seen. The infiltrate was mainly mononuclear and predominantly composed of Mac-1+ cells. Concomitantly, fibroblast proliferation and augmented collagen deposition occurred in the interstitium. This was associated with the presence ofB. burgdorferi organisms. The histopathological and ultrastructural findings observed in scid mice resemble those observed in human Lyme carditis. The data emphasize the suitability of the scid mouse as a model in which to study the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of Lyme carditis.

Ohashi, Kenichi; Kato, Yo; Kanno, Jun; Kasuga, Tsutomu

doi: 10.1007/BF02190531pmid: 2114692

Normal oesophagus specimens taken from 65 autopsy cases and surgical specimens from 127 oesophageal carcinoma cases were examined histopathologically to determine melanocyte incidence and distribution. Melanocytes were found in the epithelio-stromal junction in 7.7% of normal oesophagus specimens examined at autopsy, and in 29.9% of surgical cases with oesophageal carcinoma. Positive specimens in the latter groups, especially from pre-operatively irradiated individuals, showed a more remarkable increase of melanocytes than was evident in any of the normal oesophageal samples. There were no significant differences in incidence between males and females, or between age groups. In cases where the cancer invaded into deeper stroma, the melanocytes were mainly observed in the normal epithelium around the carcinomas. Epithelial and stromal elements of the melanotic mucosa commonly showed hyperplastic changes such as acanthosis or basal cell hyperplasia, and chronic oesophagitis. Melanocytes were observed most commonly in the lower part of the oesophagus, the site where malignant melanoma of the oesophagus, most often originates. These results strongly suggest that the melanocyte increase observed in areas of hyperplastic epithelium and chronic oesophagitis may play an important role as a precursor lesion for malignant melanoma in the oesophagus.

Baisch, H.; Klöppel, G.; Reinke, Brigitta

doi: 10.1007/BF02190532pmid: 2114693

The cellular DNA content of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens from 47 ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas and 5 adenocarcinomas of the ampulla of Vater was analysed using flow cytometry. Ploidy and the fraction of cells in the S and G2M phases were determined and correlated with tumour stage and grade as well as patients' survival. Cell populations with aneuploid DNA content were observed in 15% of the tumours. The S + G2M fractions ranged between 1% and 10%. Compared to non-neoplastic tissue of the pancreas the S + G2M fraction was significantly higher in the carcinomas. Cox regression analysis revealed the S + G2M fraction as an independent prognostic factor (p< 0.05). Ploidy was of no prognostic value for survival, but correlated weakly with tumour stage and tumour grade. All patients without lymph node metastases at time of surgery had diploid tumours. Aneuploidy was restricted to tumours in advanced stages and tended to be more frequent in high-grade tumours.

Röckelein, G.; Ulmer, Renate; Schwille, R.

doi: 10.1007/BF02190533pmid: 2114694

The placental villi of 61 early abortions with known karyotype and 7 legally induced abortions were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and documented in standardised enlargements. Five groups were established from the findings: uniformly branched villi with a velvety surface (group A) were found in 4 of the 7 induced abortions, abundant syncytial sprouts (group B) in 4 of the 6 cases with monosomy X; all 5 cases of triploidy were classified in the group bulbous or spherical villi (group C); 13 out of 25 cases of trisomy were found to have little branching and a surface densely covered with microvilli (group D), while 14 out of the 25 cases of euploidy belonged in the group with slender villi and surface with focal areas of denudation (group E). Forty of the 68 cases were properly assignable to the correct groups (58.8%). The non-uniformity of the villous morphology in the case of induced abortions shows that there is no uniform development of the (early) placenta. The variable morphology seen in abortions with euploidy reflects the various mechanisms of abortion applicable to this group.

Bedossa, P.; Lemaigre, G.; Paraf, F.; Martin, E.

doi: 10.1007/BF02190534pmid: 2114695

A longitudinal study of elastic fibres was conducted in liver biopsies from 21 patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Biopsies were taken at the start of treatment with alpha-interferon, and after 6 months or 1 year of treatment. No elastic fibres could be detected in portal tracts or fibrous septa when inflammation and necrosis were present, whatever the duration of the disease. Once the liver lesions had healed, elastic fibres were synthesized. Fibres were of two types and patterns: at first, they were thin, long and parallel to each other. Later, they were thicker, shorter and tortuous and were closely wrapped around thick bundles of collagen fibres. These findings suggest that the deposition of elastic fibres acts as a marker of healing in chronic active hepatitis and that their remodelling occurs concomitantly with the deposit of large bundles of collagen fibres.