Electron microscopic and immunoelectron microscopic demonstration of pancreatic polypeptide cells in glucagonoma: colocalization of pancreatic peptide and glucagon in single secretory granules.
We describe a case of pancreatic tumor in a 65-year-old woman with typical glucagonoma syndrome. Plasma glucagon (GL) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) were markedly elevated up to 1404 and 1200 pg/ml, respectively. Histologic examination of the metastatic tumors in liver and lymph nodes showed endocrine-type tumors composed of GL-positive cells some of which coexpressed PP immunoreactivity. Electron microscopy revealed the tumor cells with single-type secretory granules similar to normal A cell granules. Double immunogold staining demonstrated both GL and PP immunoreactivities in the same secretory granules. Biologic and diagnostic significance of coexpression of PP and GL in a single secretory granules of pancreatic endocrine tumors is discussed briefly.
Ooi
A
A
Department of Surgery, Cancer Research Institute Hospital, Kanazawa University, Japan.
Katsuda
S
S
Nakanishi
I
I
Kameya
T
T
Yamaguchi
K
K
Kitamura
H
H
Hayakawa
Y
Y
D007516:Adenoma, Islet Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005935:Glucagonoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010191:Pancreatic Polypeptide / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D010191:Pancreatic Polypeptide; D005934:Glucagon