Vasopressin and oxytocin production by non-neuroendocrine lung carcinomas: an apparent low incidence of gene expression.
In previous studies we have demonstrated the high incidence of vasopressin gene expression as a characteristic feature of small-cell carcinoma of the lung. In the present study we examined expression of this gene in non-neuroendocrine tumors to determine if vasopressin production is a common feature of all lung tumors. We carried out the immunohistochemical evaluation of 22 non-neuroendocrine tumors (12 adenocarcinomas and 10 squamous-cell carcinomas) with antibodies to vasopressin, to oxytocin, and to their related neurophysins. The antibody preparations directed against vasopressin, oxytocin, or oxytocin-associated human neurophysin did not react with any of the tumors examined. Of two monoclonal antibodies to vasopressin-associated human neurophysin used, one did not react with any of the tumors, while the other stained neoplastic cells in only one adenocarcinoma and one squamous-cell carcinoma. These findings, taken with previous reports, indicate that among lung carcinomas, a high incidence of vasopressin/oxytocin gene expression is confined to neuroendocrine tumors.
Friedmann
A S
AS
Department of Physiology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756.
Memoli
V A
VA
North
W G
WG
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009481:Neurophysins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D009481:Neurophysins; D014667:Vasopressins; D010121:Oxytocin