Immunohistochemical localization of chromogranin in human hypophyses and pituitary adenomas.
Chromogranin was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in the cytoplasm of human beta-thyrotropin, human beta-follicle-stimulating hormone-, human beta-luteinizing hormone-, and human alpha-subunit-containing cells of the non tumorous human adenohypophyses. Some surgically removed human beta-thyrotropin-, human beta-follicle-stimulating hormone-, human beta-luteinzing hormone-, and human alpha-subunit-producing pituitary adenomas, as well as some null cell-adenomas, exhibited chromogranin immunoreactivity, whereas adenomas storing human growth hormone, human prolactin, or corticotropin were negative. Chromogranin immunopositivity was variable in extent and intensity; not every glycoprotein-producing cell could be immunostained in the nontumorous adenohypophysis and the majority of chromogranin-containing adenomas showed only focal positivity. No explanation can be offered for this variability. The demonstration of chromogranin by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique may be helpful in the immunohistochemical characterization of some glycoprotein hormone-producing pituitary adenomas, as well as null-cell adenomas of the human pituitary.
Lloyd
R V
RV
Wilson
B S
BS
Kovacs
K
K
Ryan
N
N
D000236:Adenoma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000032:analysis*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008215:Lymphocytes, Null; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000032:analysis*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000378:metabolism
D002864:Chromogranins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013006:Growth Hormone