title: Expression of extracellular matrix-proteins in perisellar  connective tissue and dura mater.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the pattern of expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in perisellar connective tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dural and perisellar specimens from ten individuals were investigated immunohistochemically for collagens I to IV, tenascin, fibronectin, elastin, laminin, and vitronectin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Collagen I and III and fibronectin were strongly expressed and collagen IV, tenascin, and vitronectin were moderately expressed in the boundaries of the sella and around the CS. In six of nine specimens from the anterior boundary of the sella, and in 11 of 19 samples from the lateral boundary of the sella (medial wall of CS), two different layers could be detected by the expression of different ECM proteins. None of the antigens generally allowed differentiation between two layers of the pituitary envelope.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pituitary boundary may consist of a single or a double layer, infrequently differentiated from each other by the expression of different ECM proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Johannes Wesling Klinikum, Hans-Nolte-Str. 1, 32429 Minden, Germany. ulrich.knappe@klinikum-minden.de
authors.forename: Ulrich J
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Knappe
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fisseler-Eckhoff
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schoenmayr
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D003239:Connective Tissue Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D035301:Cranial Fossa, Middle / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004549:Elastin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007797:Laminin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019063:Tenascin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D019096:Vitronectin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D007797:Laminin; D019063:Tenascin; D019096:Vitronectin; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin