Rod cell-specific antigens in retinoblastoma.
We investigated rhodopsin immunoreactivity in five well-differentiated retinoblastomas using a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against specific antigenic sites in the amino- and carboxyl-terminal portions of rhodopsin. All five monoclonal antibodies bound to the rod cell outer segment of nontumorous retina in all 10% formaldehyde solution-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. A characteristic "halo" cell surface staining pattern was observed in four (80%) of five tumors treated with two monoclonal antibodies, B6-30 (rhodopsin amino-terminal specific) and K16-107 (rhodopsin carboxyl-terminal specific). In each case, the staining pattern was limited to well-differentiated areas of the tumor containing Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes or fleurettes. One tumor was not stained by any monoclonal antibody, whereas all monoclonal antibodies stained the rod cell outer segments of nontumorous retina. Our studies indicate that selected retinoblastomas may be differentiated along a rod photoreceptorlike cell lineage.
Vrabec
T
T
Retina Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Arbizo
V
V
Adamus
G
G
McDowell
J H
JH
Hargrave
P A
PA
Donoso
L A
LA
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000276:immunology; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000473:pathology*; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000276:immunology; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012168:Retinal Pigments; D012243:Rhodopsin