High molecular weight caldesmon positive stromal cells in the capsule of hepatocellular carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the smooth muscle nature of the stromal cells in the capsule of hepatocellular carcinomas.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal antibody to high molecular weight caldesmon (HCD), a highly specific marker for smooth muscle cells, was performed in 33 encapsulated hepatocellular carcinomas and adjacent hepatic tissues.


RESULTS
HCD positive stromal cells were detected in the capsule of 21 of the 33 hepatocellular carcinomas examined.


CONCLUSIONS
The capsule of hepatocellular carcinomas contains smooth muscle cells.
Nakayama
H
H
Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan. nakayamh@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Enzan
H
H
Yamamoto
M
M
Miyazaki
E
E
Yasui
W
W
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000737:chemistry*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins