title: Neuronal and glial markers in tumours of neuroblastic origin.
abstract: The presence and distribution of different neural markers in 30 neuroblastic tumours (neuroblastomas, ganglioneuroblastomas) and 6 non-neuroblastic tumours were investigated by immunocytochemistry. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100 protein, tyrosine hydroxylase, neurofilaments and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were localised in 3 undifferentiated neuroblastic tumours (group A), 12 poorly differentiated tumours (group B) and 15 well differentiated neuroblastic tumours (group C). Non-neuroblastic tumours (3 lymphomas and 3 Ewing sarcomas) showed no immunoreactivity. Tyrosine hydroxylase and, in particular, NSE were found in mature ganglion cells and developing neuroblasts of poorly and well differentiated tumours (groups B and C). S-100 was localised in neuroblasts with slender cytoplasmic processes in the same groups. Neurofilaments were detected in ganglion cells and differentiated neuroblasts (groups B and C) while GFAP was localised in immature neuroblasts of undifferentiated and poorly differentiated tumours (groups A and B). Thus, there are differences in the neural proteins found in neuroblastic tumours and a wide panel of antibodies against neural markers may be a useful tool in the histological assessment of nervous system neoplasms.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000032:analysis*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000378:metabolism; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000032:analysis*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D009418:S100 Proteins; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase