title: What are the CD34+ cells in benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors? Double immunostaining study of CD34 and S-100 protein.
abstract: To determine whether CD34 expression in nerve sheath lesions was found in a unique cell population or in a subset of nerve sheath cells, we performed double immunohistochemical staining using a standard avidinbiotin complex method with 2 separate color developing systems. We studied 40 neurofibromas and 16 neurilemomas. All lesions strongly expressed S-100 in nuclei and cytoplasm. CD34 was detected in cells having ameboid dendritic cytoplasm present in greatest numbers in Antoni B zones of neurilemomas, myxoid zones of neurofibromas, at the periphery of lobules in both tumor types, and condensed in apposition to perineurium. The CD34+ cells also were detected in normal nerves. They were infrequent in Antoni A zones of neurilemomas. No dual S-100 and CD34 expression was seen. This double immunostaining confirms the presence of a CD34-reactive non-Schwannian cell type in these neural neoplasms. As the CD34+, S-100-negative cell population is present also in normal nerves and infrequently seen in the areas of cellular neoplastic Schwann cells, CD34+, S-100-negative cells in peripheral nerve sheath tumors most likely are nonneoplastic and may have a supportive function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khalifa
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ismiil
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Azumi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D009418:S100 Proteins