[The expression of A103 and inhibin alpha in adrenocortical adenoma by high-throughput tissue microarray techniques].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential diagnostic role of A103 and inhibin alpha in adrenocortical adenoma and the feasibility of tissue microarray/tissue chips.


METHODS
A series of adrenal gland tissue chips were prepared, including 79 cases of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 3 normal adrenal glands, 66 adrenocortical adenomas, 5 cases of metastatic carcinoma and 5 pheochromocytomas. A103 and inhibin alpha were detected with Envision immunohistochemical staining methods.


RESULTS
Positive staining was seen in 3 of 3 (100%) adrenal cortices and in 55 of 61(90.2%) adrenocortical adenomas but in none of the pheochromocytomas or adrenal metastatic carcinomas. In the 3 of 3(100%) adrenal cortices, inhibin alpha immunoreactivity was limited to the zona reticularis and the innermost zona fasciculata. 51 of 61(83.6%) adrenocortical adenomas reacted with inhibin alpha. None of the pheochromocytomas or metastatic carcinomas reacted with inhibin alpha.


CONCLUSIONS
High-throughput tissue microarray/tissue chip offers a powerful strategy for rapid identification in situ. It is feasible to utilize tissue microarray for a rapid, economic and accurate screening of tissue specimens on a large scale. The combined use of A103 and inhibin alpha is valuable in distinguishing adrenocortical adenoma from pheochromocytoma and other metastatic carcinomas.
Zhang
Hongying
H
Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Liu
Weiping
W
Wang
Xiaojie
X
Li
Gandi
G
Guo
Jia
J
Li
Fengyuan
F
Liao
Dianying
D
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; C548667:MLANA protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C094377:inhibin-alpha subunit; D007265:Inhibins