Utility of immunostaining for S-100 protein subunits in gonadal sex cord-stromal tumors, with emphasis on the large-cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumor of the testis.
This study concerns the immunohistochemical localization of S-100 alpha, S-100 beta, and whole brain S-100 (wbS-100) in testicular large-cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumor (LCCSCT). We examined 8 LCCSCTs (7 benign and 1 malignant), 6 Sertoli cell tumors not otherwise specified (SCTs-NOS), 6 Leydig cell tumors (LCTs), 5 ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCTs), and 7 gonadoblastomas (GBLs). The 8 LCCSCTs showed immunoreactivity for S-100 alpha, S-100 beta, and wbS-100. Five of the 6 LCTs and the Leydig cell components in the ovarian SLCTs stained positively for S-100 alpha and wbS-100 but were negative for S-100 beta. SCTs-NOS and the Sertoli cell components in the SLCTs occasionally showed focal and weak/moderate positivity for S-100 alpha, S-100 beta, and wbS-100. Sex cord cells of the GBLs were positive for S-100 beta and wbS-100 and negative for S-100 alpha. Germ cell elements of the GBLs were negative for S-100 alpha, S-100 beta, and wbS-100. In nonneoplastic testicular parenchyma adjacent to the above-mentioned tumors, there was S-100 alpha reactivity in Leydig cells, rete testis, and a few Sertoli cells. S-100 beta reactivity was seen in a few Sertoli cells, Schwann cells, and some endothelial cells. WbS-100 reactivity was present in Leydig cells, a few Sertoli cells, rete testis, Schwann cells, and some endothelial cells. The results indicate that S-100 alpha and S-100 beta can potentially be used as immunohistochemical markers for LCCSCT, especially when differentiating it from LCT, which may mimic LCCSCT on routine histopathology. Although the biological significance of both S-100 subunits expression in LCCSCT remains unknown, these notable calcium-binding proteins may be associated with the characteristic calcification in LCCSCT through regulation of calcium levels in the tumor cells.
Tanaka
Yukichi
Y
Division of Pathology, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan.
Carney
J Aidan
JA
Ijiri
Rieko
R
Kato
Keisuke
K
Miyake
Tetsumi
T
Nakatani
Yukio
Y
Misugi
Kazuaki
K
D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D018238:Gonadoblastoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007984:Leydig Cell Tumor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012707:Sertoli Cell Tumor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018312:Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; C030564:S-100 calcium-binding protein alpha subunit; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins