Is helodermin produced by medullary thyroid carcinoma cells and normal C-cells? Immunocytochemical evidence.
Helodermin is a VIP/secretin-like 35-amino acid peptide originally isolated from the venom of the lizard Gila monster. Recently, helodermin-immunoreactive material was demonstrated in mammalian salivary glands, brain and gut. In the present study 8 human medullary thyroid carcinomas as well as 4 normal thyroid glands were examined immunocytochemically for the presence of helodermin using an antiserum raised against helodermin-(5-35) that does not cross-react with VIP or secretin. Cells displaying helodermin-like immunoreactivity were found in all tumours examined except one. On the whole the helodermin-immunoreactive cells had the same distribution as those storing calcitonin, suggesting coexistence of the two peptides in most of the tumour cells. Also normal human C-cells displayed helodermin immunoreactivity. The results suggest that a peptide chemically related to helodermin is a constituent of human medullary thyroid carcinoma cells as well as of normal C-cells.
Sundler
F
F
Department of Medical Cell Research, University of Lund, Sweden.
Christophe
J
J
Robberecht
P
P
Yanaihara
N
N
Yanaihara
C
C
Grunditz
T
T
Håkanson
R
R
D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010452:Peptide Biosynthesis; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010455:Peptides; C040442:heliodermin