Expression of extracellular matrix-proteins in perisellar  connective tissue and dura mater.
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.
Knappe
Ulrich J
UJ
Department of Neurosurgery, Johannes Wesling Klinikum, Hans-Nolte-Str. 1, 32429 Minden, Germany. ulrich.knappe@klinikum-minden.de
Fink
Thomas
T
Fisseler-Eckhoff
Annette
A
Schoenmayr
Robert
R
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
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; D007797:Laminin; D019063:Tenascin; D019096:Vitronectin; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin