Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron-microscopic study of pituitary adenomas associated with Cushing's disease. A report of 13 cases.
Thirteen pituitary adenomas were removed from patients with Cushing's disease by the transphenoidal route. All cases demonstrated a typical histochemical and ultrastructural pattern. Immunocytochemical study by means of the immunoperoxidase technique and light or electron microscopy demonstrated 1-24/1-39 adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in all cases, lipotropin/melanotropin (beta-LPH/beta-MSH) in 10 cases, beta-endorphin in 8 cases, and an absence of calcitonin in all cases. In addition, in 2 cases tumor tissue contained a few antiprolactin immunoreactive cells. These ACTH, beta-LPH, and beta-endorphin immunoreactivities may reflect either the peptides themselves or their precursors or intermediate products. The authors also suggest a possible intermediate-lobe-like processing of beta-LPH leading to beta-endorphin production, which may act on PRL cells. In addition, no positive arguments for the existence of a common precursor for calcitonin and ACTH could be provided from this study.
D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000239:Adenoma, Acidophil / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000237:Adenoma, Basophil / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000238:Adenoma, Chromophobe / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure