title: Immunohistochemical study of the extracellular matrix proteins laminin, fibronectin and type IV collagen in secretory meningiomas.
abstract: The extracellular matrix plays a pivotal role in numerous cellular functions during normal and pathological processes. Secretory meningiomas are rare histological meningioma subtypes that have benign behavior, are highly vascularized and are frequently accompanied by massive peritumoral edema. The aim of this study was to assess in secretory meningiomas the immunohistochemical expression of laminin, fibronectin and type IV collagen, proteins found in the extracellular matrix. Extracellular matrix proteins were evaluated in samples from six secretory meningiomas using a semiquantitative scale ranging from not detected (0) to marked (3). Laminin expression was not detected in two cases, but was minimal in one, moderate in one and marked in the remaining cases. Fibronectin expression was absent in two cases, minimal in two, moderate in one and marked with generalized distribution in the remaining case. Type IV collagen expression was minimal in three cases, moderate in two and marked with generalized distribution in the remaining case. Our results are indicative of significant neoangiogenic activity. Meningiomas increase in size through increased production of extracellular matrix; furthermore, the proliferation of cells typically associated with neoplasia requires considerable interaction with the extracellular matrix.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgical Clinic, Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, A.O.U. Policlinico G. Martino Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caffo
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galatioto
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meli
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cacciola
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Germanò
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alafaci
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tomasello
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D008579:Meningioma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D024141:Collagen Type IV; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D007797:Laminin