Immunohistochemical study on so-called follicular cells and folliculostellate cells in the human adenohypophysis

• Published in: Pathology international 2005-05, Vol.55 (5), p.244-247
• Main Authors: Yamashita, Michiko, Qian, Zhi Rong, Sano, Toshiaki, Horvath, Eva, Kovacs, Kalman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - analysis; cytokeratin; Female; follicular cell; folliculostellate cell; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein - analysis; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins - analysis; Male; Middle Aged; pituitary; Pituitary Gland, Anterior - chemistry; Pituitary Gland, Anterior - pathology; S-100 protein; S100 Proteins - analysis
• ISSN: 1320-5463; 1440-1827
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.2005.01820.x

Non‐hormone‐secreting cells in human adenohypophysis have been designated as either follicular cells (FC) or folliculostellate cells (FSC). They have similarly long cytoplasmic processes, and the difference between FC and FSC remains unclear. An immunohistochemical study for S‐100 protein, cytokeratin (CK, detected by AE1/AE3) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was performed in autopsy pituitaries. Double immunohistochemistry for S‐100 protein and CK revealed that there were numerous coexpressed cells. The most frequent type (‘CK‐type cell’) was cells weakly positive for S‐100 protein in the nucleus and for CK‐immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm. The next numerous type (‘S‐100 protein cell’) was cells strongly positive for S‐100 protein and weakly positive or negative for CK. The CK‐type cells were frequently observed in the vicinity of follicular structures and in neighborhood of adrenocorticotropic hormone ‐immunoreactive cells, and were most likely the cells termed FC. They were often observed around necrotic areas. The S‐100 protein cells were individually found in the circumference of endocrine cell nest, and seemed to be the so‐called stellate cells. GFAP‐positive cells were rare. It is implied that S‐100 protein‐positive FSC could be divided into at least two main subtypes: FC (CK‐type cells) and stellate cells (S‐100 protein cells).