Glu-tubulin is a marker for Schwann cells and can distinguish between schwannomas and neurofibromas.
Schwann cells generate myelin sheaths around the axons of the peripheral nervous system, thus facilitating efficient nerve impulse propagation. Two main tumor types can arise from peripheral nerves, schwannomas and neurofibromas, which are sometimes difficult to distinguish and may require the use of diagnostic biomarkers. Here, we characterize a new marker for Schwann cells and its potential use as a diagnostic marker for schwannomas. Immunohistochemistry for Glu-tubulin, a posttranslational modification of α-tubulin, was performed in mouse and human tissues. This technique labels Schwann cells but not oligodendrocytes. All peripheral nerves were immunoreactive for this antibody, including large nerve trunks, thin myelinated nerves, as well as the myenteric and submucous plexus of the digestive tract. In the mouse brain, many neurons were immunoreactive for Glu-tubulin but oligodendrocytes were negative. During embryo development, immunoreactive nerves were already found at E10. In Schwann cells, the staining is restricted to the myelin sheaths and is not present in the perinuclear cytoplasm or the Ranvier nodes. Primary cultures of fibroblasts and Schwann cells were established from mouse sciatic nerves, and Western blot analysis showed that Glu-tubulin immunoreactivity was found in the Schwann cells but not in the fibroblasts. Clinical specimens of schwannomas (n = 20) and neurofibromas (n = 20) were stained with anti-Glu-tubulin antibodies. Schwannomas presented a strong staining in all tumor cells, whereas neurofibromas had a light speckled staining pattern, easily distinguishable from the one found in schwannomas. In conclusion, Glu-tubulin can be used as a marker of Schwann cells and can help in diagnosing peripheral nerve tumors.
Oncology Area, Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), Piqueras 98, 26006, Logroño, Spain.
Josune
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4391-5537
J
García-Sanmartín
Pathology Service, Hospital San Pedro, 26006, Logroño, Spain.
Susana
S
Rubio-Mediavilla
Pathology Service, Hospital San Pedro, 26006, Logroño, Spain.
José J
JJ
Sola-Gallego
Oncology Area, Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), Piqueras 98, 26006, Logroño, Spain. amartinezr@riojasalud.es.
Alfredo
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4882-4044
A
Martínez
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014404:Tubulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014404:Tubulin
Glu-tubulin; Immunohistochemical marker; Myelin; Neurofibroma; Schwann cells; Schwannoma