Immunohistochemistry of folliculo-stellate cells in normal human adenohypophyses and in pituitary adenomas

• Published in: Acta neuropathologica 1984-01, Vol.65 (1), p.35-40
• Main Authors: HÖFLER, H, WALTER, G. F, DENK, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenoma - analysis; Adenoma - metabolism; Adenoma - pathology; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Endocrinopathies; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein - analysis; Humans; Hypothalamus. Hypophysis. Epiphysis (diseases); Immunochemistry; Intermediate Filament Proteins - analysis; Malignant tumors; Medical sciences; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase - analysis; Pituitary Gland, Anterior - analysis; Pituitary Gland, Anterior - cytology; Pituitary Neoplasms - analysis; Pituitary Neoplasms - metabolism; Pituitary Neoplasms - pathology; S100 Proteins - analysis
• ISSN: 0001-6322; 1432-0533
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00689825

Presence and distribution of S-100 protein (S-100), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), cytokeratin polypeptides, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, actin, lysozyme and pituitary hormones (prolactin, hGH, ACTH, beta-FSH, beta-LH, beta-TSH, alpha subunit) in folliculo-stellate cells (FSC) were studied in seven normal human pituitary glands and 28 pituitary adenomas using peroxidase-antiperoxidase and the avidin-biotin immunohistochemical techniques. Approximately 5% of the cells of the adenohypophysis were agranular, non-hormone-producing FSC most of which showed a conspicuous and strong reaction with S-100 antibodies but some were, in addition, GFAP- and vimentin-positive. In contrast to endocrine cells (EC), FSC were not decorated by antibodies to NSE or cytokeratins. In addition to supportive functions, these cells, due to their close special relationship to EC, seem to have transport and other metabolic functions yet to be elucidated. By their S-100 reactivity and their distribution FSC are comparable to glial cells of the central and Schwann and satellite cells of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) as well as to supportive cells in neuroendocrine organs and related tumors (e.g., pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas, carcinoids). With one exception, S-100 reactive FSC were not found in pituitary adenomas. The immunohistochemical demonstration of S-100 protein in pituitary tissue is, therefore, a reliable aid in the discrimination between adenomas and normal pituitary tissue, particularly in small and poorly preserved specimens.