Immunohistochemical differentiation of yolk sac-type alpha-fetoprotein from hepatic-type alpha-fetoprotein.
In order to differentiate yolk sac-type alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) from hepatic-type AFP, 5 yolk sac tumors (YSTs) and 6 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were examined immunohistochemically by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method for AFP, and paradoxical concanavalin A (P-Con A) staining, which has been reported to detect glycoprotein including AFP. In all 5 YSTs, AFP was negative for P-Con A staining. On the other hand, AFP was strongly positive for the same staining in all 6 HCCs. A similar staining pattern for AFP was observed in human yolk sac endodermal cells and embryonal hepatocytes. Thus, it was clarified that yolk sac-type AFP was unable to bind with Con A, in contrast with hepatic-type AFP, on tissue sections. It was concluded that the PAP method for AFP and P-Con A staining might facilitate the immunohistochemical differentiation of these two types of AFP, and that it would be useful for clarifying the histogenesis of various AFP-secreting tumors.
Okamoto
T
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Department of Pathology, Fukuyama National Hospital.
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D008649:Mesonephroma / Q000378:metabolism; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D015017:Yolk Sac / Q000378:metabolism*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D003208:Concanavalin A