VE1 antibody immunoreactivity in normal anterior pituitary and adrenal cortex without detectable BRAF V600E mutations.
OBJECTIVE
The VE1 monoclonal antibody was developed to recognize the V600E mutation in BRAF, which is found in various tumors.


METHODS
We report that the VE1 antibody stains normal anterior pituitary gland and adrenal cortex, which lack detectable BRAF V600E mutations.


RESULTS
Staining with the VE1 antibody was seen in the adenohypophysis and correlated well with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-positive cells. ACTH-positive cells were typically most concentrated in the central mucoid wedge and pars intermedia, and VE1 staining was strong in these regions. Moreover, VE1 staining was seen in ACTH-expressing pituitary adenomas without detectable BRAF mutations. VE1 staining of the adrenal cortex was also significant, with the strongest staining seen in the inner segment of the zona fasciculata. Parathyroid glands, pancreatic islets, or parafollicular C cells in the thyroid showed no VE1 staining.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, VE1 staining of endocrine tissues strongly suggests limitations on the use of this antibody for the detection of BRAF mutations.
From the Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Daniel A
DA
Mordes
From the Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Kerry
K
Lynch
From the Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Sharon
S
Campbell
From the Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Dora
D
Dias-Santagata
From the Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Vania
V
Nose
From the Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
David N
DN
Louis
From the Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. mhoang@mgh.harvard.edu.
Mai P
MP
Hoang
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
Adrenal gland; BRAF V600E; Immunohistochemistry; Pituitary gland; VE1