Meningiomas differentiating to arachnoid trabecular cells: a proposal for histological subtype "arachnoid trabecular cell meningioma"

Three cases of meningiomas which had abundant small vacuoles in the tumor tissue are reported. By electron microscopy, the tumor cells exhibited long and thin processes, the tips of which were united by desmosomes. The tumor tissue was revealed to have wide extracellular spaces which corresponded to the vacuoles observed by light microscopy. In previous literature, various terms have been used when referring to this meningioma, such as microcystic meningioma or vacuolated meningioma. Since the ultrastructure of the tumor showed similarity to that of normal arachnoid trabecular cells, we propose to call the tumor "arachnoid trabecular cell meningioma" denoting its morphological nature clearly.

[Correlations between nuclear DNA content and nuclear morphometry versus histological grading of prostatic carcinoma]

The nuclear area, N/C ratio and anisonucleosis by morphometry and the DNA content by image photo-cytometry of paraffin-embedded tissues of 9 cases of prostatic hypertrophy and 48 cases of carcinoma obtained by open surgery, needle biopsy or by autopsy were correlated with histological grading. In histological grading, in addition to 9 benign hypertrophy cases, 11 were classified as well differentiated adenocarcinoma, 19 as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and 1 as small cell carcinoma. All 14 tumors taken from distant metastasis were classified as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Correlation of the data by tumor cell morphometry with those of nuclear image photo-cytometry was carried out on surgical materials alone. In autopsy materials, DNA ploidy patterns were compared between primary lesions and metastases. The DNA histogram patterns of most cases were classified into 4 groups. Hypertrophy was differentiated from carcinoma by the histogram patterns. There were significant correlations between mean DNA value and morphometric factors. One of the 4 histogram patterns had a higher mortality than others. The DNA histograms did not distinguish between the primary and metastatic lesions of the same patients. However, the DNA histograms constructed from metastasis frequently showed a single stem-line of the primary lesion. This study disclosed several correlations between histological grading and morphometrical factors.

Somatostatin analogue (SMS 201-995) decreases plasma levels of corticotropin (ACTH) and corticotropin-releasing hormone in a patient with ectopic ACTH-producing tumors

Effects of long-acting somatostain analogue (SMS 201-995) on plasma corticotropin (ACTH) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) levels were studied in a patient (63-year-old woman) with ectopic ACTH-producing tumors associated with type I multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN-I). The patient had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy. Plasma CRH, as well as plasma ACTH, beta-endorphin and alpha-MSH, increased. The hormone levels were dramatically decreased by acute administration of SMS 201-995. Moderately higher doses of dexamethasone (0.05 or 0.1 mg/kg a day) did not decrease plasma CRH or ACTH. An extremely high dose of dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg a day), however, decreased plasma ACTH, but failed to decrease plasma CRH. Acute administration of SMS 201-995 further lowered the level of plasma ACTH even in this condition. In addition to the decrease in ACTH, SMS 201-995 decreased plasma CRH. Chronic administration of SMS 201-995 continuously decreased plasma CRH, ACTH and beta-endorphin. The decrease in these hormone concentrations accompanied the disappearance of hyperpigmentation. These results suggested that SMS 201-995 inhibits hypersecretion not only of ACTH but also of CRH, and that the agent is therapeutically useful in normalizing the hypersecretion of these hormones.

Production of a triple mutant, chlorophyll-deficient, streptomycin-, and kanamycin-resistant Nicotiana tabacum, and its use in intergeneric somatic hybrid formation with Solanum melongena

In order to produce a triple mutant, sexual crosses between a chlorophyll-deficient, streptomycin-resistant mutant of Nicotiana tabacum (SA) and a kanamycin-resistant transformant of N. tabacum (KR.) were carried out. From the offspring of this cross, a triple mutant (KR-SA) was selected. In N. tabacum KR-SA, chlorophyll deficiency is due to recessive mutation in the nuclear genome, streptomycin resistance is due to a dominant mutation in the chloroplast genome, and kanamycin resistance is shown to be a dominant nuclear marker. Cell suspension protoplasts of N. tabacum KRSA were fused with callus protoplasts of Solanum melongena by dextran treatment. Somatic hybrid plants were selected for streptomycin resistance and the ability to produce clorophyll in regenerated plants. By using this selection system, green plants were recovered from two colonies. When these green plants were then tested for kanamycin resistance, all analyzed plants carried this trait. In addition, the hybrid nature of these plants was confirmed by investigation of the peroxidase isozyme. The present results show that the use of N. tabacum KR-SA in studies of somatic hybridization makes it possible to select somatic hybrid plants easily and provides information of the N. tabacum genome.

Secretion of GAWK, a Presumed Product of Chromogranin B Processing, by a Human Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Cell Line: Effect of Phorbol Ester, Forskolin and Calcium-lonophore

Abstract GAWK was isolated from human pituitary glands and presumed to be a processing product of human Chromogranin B. In the present studies, we investigated effects of phorbol ester (TPA), forskolin and Ca(2+)-ionophore (A23187) on GAWK secretion using a human medullary thyroid carcinoma-derived cell line (TT-cell). A dose-responsive stimulation of GAWK-like immunoreactivity (LI) secretion was found in the presence of TPA as well as forskolin. A23187 caused an increase of GAWK-LI secretion and addition of TPA together with A23187 revealed an additive effect on the GAWK-LI secretion. These findings indicate that GAWK-LI is a secretory peptide in the TT-cells and suggest that A and C kinase, and possibly Ca(2+)-calmodulin transduction systems are involved in the GAWK-LI secretion by the TT-cells. TT-cells may provide a good model for the investigation of regulation of Chromogranin secretion.

Relationships among expression, transcription and rearrangement of T-cell receptor beta gene in T-cell lymphomas

The expression of T-cell receptors (TCR) in malignant lymphomas was examined immunohistochemically by monoclonal antibodies which react with the TCR beta or TCR delta chain. TCR beta was expressed in 16 out of 47 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. These included 15 T-cell lymphomas and 1 Ki-1 lymphoma. The anti-TCR beta chain antibody, beta F1, did not react with 26 B-cell lymphomas, 1 Ki-1 lymphoma or 6 Hodgkin's disease. This anti-TCR delta chain antibody, TCR delta 1, did not react with any type of malignant lymphoma. Although TCR beta and CD3 were co-expressed in normal lymphoid tissues and most T-cell lymphomas, 3 cases of CD3+ CD4+ CD8- T-cell lymphoma failed to express TCR beta. TCR beta and Ig JH gene configurations in malignant lymphomas were examined by Southern hybridization. Although each of 9 T-cell lymphomas had a rearranged TCR beta locus, TCR beta gene rearrangement in the 3 cases of beta F1- CD3+ T-cell lymphomas was demonstrated by Southern blot. No transcripts of the TCR beta gene could be found in 2 out of the 3 beta F1- CD3+ T-cell lymphomas by Northern blot, indicating the lack of TCR beta protein expression to be due to non-transcription of the TCR gene. Loss of TCR beta proteins in these T-cell lymphomas is thus quite likely to be associated with T-cell tumour activation and progression, since 3 beta F1- CD3+ T-cell lymphomas expressed CD25 (interleukin-2 receptor) to a high degree.

[Characterization and calcitonin secretion of a human well differentiated C-cell tumor cell line]

Useful cell lines actively producing hormone (s) have been rare, especially those of human origin. A C-cell tumor human cell line abundantly producing calcitonin and related hormones, TT-cell, has proved remarkably useful for the study of endocrine tumors as their representative model. We proved intracellular presence of translation and transcript products of calcitonin and calcitonin gene related peptide gene by immunostain, radioimmunoassay, immunoelectron microscopy, Northern blot and in situ hybridization. We also demonstrated remarkably enhanced secretion of the hormones and chromogranins by the stimulation of protein kinase activators such as phorbol ester, forskolin, and calcium-ionophore.

Electron microscopic and immunoelectron microscopic demonstration of pancreatic polypeptide cells in glucagonoma: colocalization of pancreatic peptide and glucagon in single secretory granules

We describe a case of pancreatic tumor in a 65-year-old woman with typical glucagonoma syndrome. Plasma glucagon (GL) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) were markedly elevated up to 1404 and 1200 pg/ml, respectively. Histologic examination of the metastatic tumors in liver and lymph nodes showed endocrine-type tumors composed of GL-positive cells some of which coexpressed PP immunoreactivity. Electron microscopy revealed the tumor cells with single-type secretory granules similar to normal A cell granules. Double immunogold staining demonstrated both GL and PP immunoreactivities in the same secretory granules. Biologic and diagnostic significance of coexpression of PP and GL in a single secretory granules of pancreatic endocrine tumors is discussed briefly.

Monoclonal antibody directed against neuroendocrine properties of both normal and malignant cells

A monoclonal antibody, 6H7, was produced by the immunization of small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL). Immunohistochemical examination indicated that 6H7 reacted not only with SCCL but also various neuronal and/or endocrine tumors such as neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, carcinoid and adrenal cortical tumors. 6H7 was also reactive with normal neuroendocrine tissues including brain, spinal cord, thyroid follicular cells, pancreatic islet cells and adrenal cells. 6H7 did not react with squamous cell carcinomas, one large cell carcinoma or most adenocarcinomas of the lung, or carcinomas of the stomach, colon, pancreas, breast and esophagus. The antigen recognized by 6H7 was analyzed on gel filtration after purification of the antigen by liquid chromatography which indicated the molecular weight of the antigen to be 270,000-300,000. From SDS-PAGE analysis the antigen reactive with 6H7 appeared to consist of polypeptide dimers of 128,000.

Developmentally regulated expression of the calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in rat lung endocrine cells

Calcitonin (CT) and the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are generated by alternative RNA processing from a single CT/CGRP gene. Recently, we reported the existence of CGRP-immunoreactivity and CGRP mRNA in endocrine cells or Kulchitsky (K) cells of human and rat lung [Wada et al. 1987b]. In this report, an examination was made of developmental changes in the expression of the CGRP gene in rat lungs by immunohistochemistry, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and Northern hybridization. CGRP-positive K-cells in lung tissue appeared on the 18th day of gestation. Their number was greatest on the 20th day of gestation and then decreased postnatally. The level of CGRP in rat lung was found to be highest in a 1-day-old neonate by RIA. In the Northern hybridization of rat lung using the CGRP 3' non-coding region (exon 6) of the first human CT/CGRP gene as the probe, 1.0 kilobase (kb) CGRP mRNA was found to be abundant on the 20th day of gestation and in a 1 day-old neonate. It thus appears that CGRP in rat lung is essential for pulmonary adaptation at birth and/or from the last intrauterine stage to the early neonatal period.

Malignant pituitary tumors

Pituitary malignancies are rare. The definition of pituitary malignancy is still subject to debate. Three types of malignancy with the description of clinical course and complete autopsy were presented; i) true carcinosarcoma, ii) ectopic sphenoid invasive tumor, and iii) post-irradiation sarcoma. The first true carcinosarcoma had a long natural tumor history of 46 years, ending in malignant transformation with extracranial metastasis from a pituitary adenoma. The second ectopic sphenoid tumor was prolactin-producing, locally invasive, with the intact pituitary gland. The third post-irradiation sarcoma was followed by chromophobe pituitary adenoma. The interval between irradiation to the adenoma and malignant transformation to fibrosarcoma was about 14 years.

[Folliculo-stellate cells in normal human adenohypophyses and in pituitary adenomas]

Nine normal human adenohypophyses and 155 cases of pituitary adenoma of various endocrinological types were studied for existence of folliculo-stellate cells (FSCs) by an immunohistochemical method using the antibody for S-100 (S-100 protein). In all normal materials, S-100 positive FSCs were distributed throughout the glands, constituting 0.9-4.0% of the adenohypophysial cells. FSCs were morphologically characteristic showing a few slender cytoplasmic processes which extended among the other endocrine cells. On the other hand, FSCs were recognized in 13 cases (8%) of the adenomas, which we called FSC-containing pituitary adenomas. In them, S-100 positive FSCs existed diffusely in the tissue and increased in number, but did not differ in appearance from those in the normal gland. We also examined immunoreactivity of FSCs for the anti-GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) antibody. GFAP positive cells showed a greater number than S-100 positive cells in the normal glands, but a smaller number in the adenomas. Ultrastructural features of FSCs were observed in the tumor by an electron microscope. We studied clinical aspects of these FSC-containing adenomas, expecting some common features. However, we found no rules in age, sex, endocrinological type, tumor size, previous therapy, intraoperative finding of the tumor, and recurrence. So far, the function of FSC has not been clearly elucidated, and the present study did not contribute in this respect. The property of FSCs which proliferate in some adenomas is enigmatic. They may be entrapped normal cells, or reactive hyperplastic cells, or neoplastic cells. We considered them reactive hyperplastic cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Activation of N-ras gene in a rat hepatocellular carcinoma induced by dibutylnitrosamine and butylated hydroxytoluene

DNA samples from eighteen rat hepatocellular carcinomas, including those induced by oral administration of dibutylnitrosamine (DBN) with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), or DBN with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), have been tested for the presence of transforming activity by transfection assay with NIH3T3 cells. Of the eighteen samples, only one from a tumor induced by DBN and BHT gave transformants. the activated oncogene was identified as rat N-ras by Southern blot analysis.

Selection of a universal hybridizer in Sinapis turgida Del. and regeneration of plantlets from somatic hybrids with Brassica species

A double-mutant cell line, which was unable to grow in a medium with NO 3 (-) as the sole nitrogen source and was resistant to 5-methyl-tryptophan (5MT), was selected from cell suspensions of Sinapis turgida Del. (Brassicaceae) by culturing the cells in AA medium (Toriyama and Hinata, 1985, Plant Sci. 41, 179-183) supplemented with 50 mM chlorate and 229 μM 5MT. Protoplasts of this cell line were fused with mesophyll protoplasts of Brassica oleracea L. with dextran, and six somatic hybrids were selected initially by culture in the NO 3 (-) medium and then by transfer to the NO 3 (-) medium supplemented with 229 μM 5MT. The somatic hybrids produced embryoids, leaves and plantlets on a regeneration medium. The hybrid characters were confirmed by investigations of acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) and peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) isoenzymes, chromosome number, growth on NO 3 (-) medium, 5MT resistance, and capacity to regenerate plants. Somatic hybrids between S. turgida Del. and B. nigra (L.) Koch were also obtained using this method. These results indicate that the double-mutant cell line established here will be able to serve as a universal hybridizer to select somatic hybrids after protoplast fusion with any other wild-type partner.

Immunohistochemical examination of lung cancers using monoclonal antibodies reacting with sialosylated Lewisx and sialosylated Lewisa

In order to explore the relationship between the expression of cancer-associated glycolipids such as sialylated Lex (SLEX) and sialylated Lea (SLEA) and the histological subtypes of lung cancers, 30 cases of small cell carcinoma (SCC) and 47 cases of non-small cell carcinoma (non-SCC) were examined immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies reacting with SLEX and SLEA. The forty-seven cases of non-SCC included 20 cases of adenocarcinoma, 20 of squamous cell carcinoma and 7 of large cell carcinoma. Tumour cells of most non-SCCs expressed SLEX and SLEA. In adenocarcinomas, the number of tumour cells having SLEX and SLEA was more than that of squamous cell carcinomas, large cell carcinomas and SCC. In SCC, 14 of the 30 cases were found to be positive for both antigens. Although the cancer cells of 11 cases of 17 intermediate cell type SCC had both antigens, the cells of only 3 of 13 oat cell tumours expressed SLEX and SLEA. The present study shows that SLEX and SLEA are useful markers for lung adenocarcinomas, that most cases of intermediate cell type of SCCs have characteristics similar to non-SCC but that many oat cell tumours lack them.

Calcitonin-producing insulinoma. An immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study

A pancreatic endocrine tumor measuring 1.5 X 1.0 X 1.0 cm in a 67-year-old man with recurrent hypoglycemic attacks was examined by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The tumor cells were relatively uniform, and almost all of them were immunoreactive to insulin. A few calcitonin-positive cells could be identified scattering in tumor cell strands, and the content of calcitonin in the tumor was 85 ng/g wet tissue. Coexistence of insulin and calcitonin in tumor cells was demonstrated by using adjacent semithin sections of the Epon-embedded material. Electron microscopically, the tumor consisted of a single type of cells with secretory granules identical to B-cell granules in the normal counterpart.

Promotion of flower formation by atrazine and diuron in seedlings of Asparagus

Flower formation in 25-d-old seedling of Asparagus officinalis L was increased by soaking the seeds for 12 d in solutions of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) or diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea), two herbicides known to affect electron flow of photosystem II, from approx. 4% in controls to 37% in treatments with 400 μM of atrazine or about 100 μM diuron. Both herbicides inhibited plant growth, but treatment of seeds with other growth inhibitors (absicic acid, (2-chloroethyl)trimethylammonium chloride, polyethylene glycol) did not affect flower formation although inhibiting seed germination and plant growth. The increase of flower formation by the two herbicides permits identification of the sex of Asparagus plants at an early developmental stage.

Primary leptomeningeal ependymoblastoma. Case report

Ependymoblastoma is considered to be a primitive malignant glioma with ependymal differentiation. This rare tumor occurs in very early life and shows rapid growth and a diffuse infiltration through the leptomeningeal space. The tumor cells are highly immature, with numerous mitoses and multilayered ependymal rosettes. The ependymoblastoma described in this report was found in a 17-year-old girl. In spite of detailed clinical and postmortem examinations, no definite primary site was identified in the neuraxis. The lesion spread predominantly throughout the leptomeningeal space. Histological analysis strongly suggested that this tumor originated from a heterotopic glial nest in the subarachnoid space. The absence of immunohistochemical neural tissue markers, glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase, and neurofilaments ruled out neuronal or glial differentiation. The authors were unable to find any previous report of primary leptomeningeal ependymoblastoma.

Histiocytes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in relation to prognosis

Forty-nine biopsy specimens of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 20 biopsy specimens of nasopharyngeal mucosa obtained from non-cancer patients were studied for the presence of T-zone histiocytes (Langerhans' cells and their precursors) and macrophages by immunohistochemical methods with the use of antibodies against S-100 protein and lysozyme (lys), respectively. Patients with dense infiltration of T-zone histiocytes in the primary sites survived longer than those without such infiltration (mean survival times, 8, 39, and 72 months in the patients with the density of -, +, and ++, respectively; P less than 0.005). In contrast, there was no relationship between patient prognosis and density of lys+ macrophages in the tumor tissue (P = 0.33). The distribution of T-zone histiocytes in the tumor tissue was different from that of macrophages. T-zone histiocytes may play an important role in the immune reaction against cancer, probably acting through mechanism different from that of macrophages.

Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. An immunocytochemical and histochemical study of 25 cases using eight separate markers

The current study was undertaken on 25 cases of thyroid medullary carcinoma to compare the diagnostic value of calcitonin with other peptides including PDN-21, the C-terminal flanking peptide of human calcitonin within the calcitonin precursor, and calcitonin gene-related peptide, CGRP. Antiserum raised to chromogranin, an acidic protein of 68,000 daltons, was also used to compare its diagnostic value as a general marker for neuroendocrine neoplasia with neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and Grimelius' argyrophil silver staining. Immunocytochemistry was performed using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method at the light microscopic level and the immunogold staining procedure at the ultrastructural level. All tumors were reactive to calcitonin and CGRP antisera, whereas PDN-21 was present in 23 cases. It was also found that these peptides were colocalized in the majority of C-cells. The intensity and specificity of CGRP and PDN-21 immunoreaction was comparable to and in some cases even better than that obtained with calcitonin antiserum. In the majority of tumors, somatostatin and bombesin immunoreactivity was either absent, weak, or variable in intensity and distribution. The current study thus demonstrates that together with calcitonin, PDN and, in particular, CGRP antisera may be applied to corroborate immunocytochemical diagnosis in medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. With regard to general neuroendocrine markers, Grimelius' and chromogranin provided the most consistent results. NSE isoenzyme immunoreactivity, on the other hand, was more variable, probably reflecting the metabolic state of the tumor cells.

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activities in human lung tissues: comparison between normal lung and lung carcinomas

We measured the activity of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase with L-dihydroxyphenylalanine as a substrate (DOPA decarboxylase) in normal lung tissues and lung tumors obtained fresh at surgery. The activity in control human lung tissues was low and variable: 3.50 +/- 0.42 pmole/min/mg protein (n = 56, mean +/- SE, range 0.01-15), indicating the wide individual variations. Most of small cell carcinoma specimens showed very high activity, as compared with both control lung tissues and with other types of non-SCC lung cancers. Similar results were also obtained in the athymic mice heterotransplants of SCC. High activity was also observed using 5-L-hydroxytryptophan as a substrate (5-HTP decarboxylase) in nine SCC samples. Serotonin was not detected in any control lung tissues, but was detected in all the nine SCC samples, but dopamine was detected only in three out of nine SCC samples.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: immunohistochemical study for keratin, secretory component and leukocyte common antigen

Immunohistochemical studies using antisera to keratin and secretory component (SC) and monoclonal antibody against leukocyte common antigen (LCA) were performed on 92 biopsy and autopsy specimens taken from 65 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Five biopsy specimens from malignant lymphoma of the nasopharynx and tonsil, and 20 biopsy specimens of nasopharyngeal epithelium were also included in the study. Keratin was positively stained in all squamous cell carcinomas and nonkeratinizing carcinomas, and 38 of 46 undifferentiated carcinomas (82.6%), but in no malignant lymphomas. LCA was intensely stained in all malignant lymphoma, but in no nasopharyngeal carcinomas. SC was positively stained in two of the 46 undifferentiated carcinomas (4.3%). Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a definite malignant epithelial neoplasm and can be distinguished from malignant lymphoma by immunostaining for keratin and LCA. Some undifferentiated carcinoma may show cellular differentiation toward ciliated epithelium.

Pancreatic endocrine tumours associated with WDHA syndrome. An immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study

Nine pancreatic endocrine tumours of patients with watery diarrhoea hypokalaemia achlorhydria (WDHA) syndrome were examined by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. All cases revealed neoplastic proliferation of VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide)-immunoreactive (IR) cells. Immunoreactivity to a novel peptide hormone PHM-27, which is processed from a common big precursor peptide of VIP (prepro VIP/PHM-27), was identified in VIP-IR cells of 8 tumours. VIP-PHM-IR cells had secretory granules measuring about 130 to 220 nm in diameter. Radioimmunoassay of tumour tissue extracts showed high VIP and PHM contents in proportional amounts in most cases. According to the results of immunostaining, the 8 tumours fell into two large groups; 5 with PP (pancreatic polypeptide)-IR cells and 3 with CT (calcitonin)-IR cells. The former group demonstrated VIP cells and PP cells intermingled in various proportions, including one tumour in which coexistence of PP-IR and VIP-IR in the same cells was demonstrated. Cell heterogeneity of the tumours and possible relationships of VIP, PP and CT cells were discussed.

S-100 protein-positive Langerhans cells in various human lung cancers, especially in peripheral adenocarcinomas

The appearance of S-100 protein-positive Langerhans cells was studied in 90 cases of various lung cancers by an immunohistochemical method. S-100 protein-positive dendritic cells were frequently observed in many adenocarcinomas, especially in those subclassified as bronchiolar cell or type II alveolar cell type. However, no S-100 protein-positive cells were found in "goblet cell type" adenocarcinoma. In some cases of squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma, these dendritic cells were also observed though they were fewer in number. In all cases of small cell carcinoma, however, S-100 protein-positive dendritic cells were rare. Electron microscopic study of two adenocarcinomas clearly demonstrated many Birbeck granules in the cytoplasm of S-100 protein-positive dendritic cells and confirmed that S-100 protein-positive cells in lung cancer were identical with Langerhans cells.

Interconversion of biological characteristics of small cell lung cancer depending on culture conditions

Two distinct cell lines were obtained from a single heterotransplanted tumor which had originated from a primary focus of small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL). They were maintained separately from the beginning in culture media with and without fetal calf serum supplementation. Cells in the serum-free medium grew mostly floating in loose aggregates and showed poor cell cohesiveness, scanty cytoplasm and a few intracytoplasmic small dense-cored granules; all of these features are characteristics of oat cell type SCCL. On the other hand, cells in the serum-supplemented medium grew mostly floating in flatter and more closely associated clumps, were larger, and showed increased cell cohesiveness, occasional tubular structures, better developed organelles including dense-cored granules, and an increased number of cell attachments; these features are characteristics of intermediate cell type SCCL. The modal number of chromosomes differed from each other. Neuron-specific enolase (gamma enolase) and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (ADC) activities in cell pellets were significantly higher in both lines than in control non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. The alpha/gamma type enolase ratio was lower, as was the ADC activity, in serum-free cultures than in serum-supplemented cultures. Interchange of the culture medium induced changes of the growth pattern and cell type from "oat cell type" to "intermediate cell type" and vice versa. The chromosomal number also partially changed. These findings suggest that cultured cells of SCCL alter their growth pattern and cell type depending on the culture conditions and that the selective growth of one cell type might then take place.

Large cell carcinoma of the lung associated with marked eosinophilia. A case report

A case of large cell carcinoma of the lung which produced eosinophil colony stimulating factor and eosinophil chemotactic factor was reported. A 52-year-old Japanese man with a tumor in the left upper lobe of the lung underwent left pneumonectomy. Marked eosinophilia persisted especially after recurrence, with a maximum peripheral leukocyte count of 161,000/mm3, of which 78% consisted of eosinophils. The patient died of pulmonary insufficiency 18 months after surgery. At autopsy, metastatic tumor tissues and almost all organs were markedly infiltrated with eosinophils, especially the spleen, and there was marked proliferation of eosinophils in the bone marrow. Eosinophil colony stimulating factor production by the transplanted tumor in a nude mouse was confirmed by use of a human bone marrow culture assay system. Eosinophil chemotactic factor production by metastatic tumor tissue also was proved by a modified micro-filter technique.

Enolase distribution in human brain tumors, retinoblastomas and pituitary adenomas

The cellular localization of alpha-, beta- and gamma-subunits of enolase isoenzyme was studied immunohistochemically in various human brain tumors, retinoblastomas and pituitary adenomas (total, 91 cases). The alpha-subunit was found in almost all brain tumors except in medulloblastoma cases. A case of medullomyoblastoma contained beta-subunit-positive myoblastic cells, which was also positive for human myoglobin. The gamma-subunit was frequently observed in medulloblastomas, retinoblastomas and pituitary adenomas. However, gamma-subunit was also present in some non-neuronal brain tumors such as astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. Enzyme immunoassay technique also confirmed the presence of gamma-subunit in a medulloblastoma and two retinoblastomas.

Concomitant production of immunoreactive gastrin-releasing peptide and calcitonin in medullary carcinoma of the thyroid

Immunoreactive gastrin-releasing peptide (IR-GRP) was found to be present in medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT) by use of a radioimmunoassay (RIA) specific for the carboxyl-terminal portion of GRP. Immunohistochemical studies revealed IR-GRP in the MCT tumor cells, indicating that the tumor cells produce IR-GRP. Immunoreactive GRP was also detected in macroscopically normal thyroid tissue of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type II (MEN II, or Sipple's syndrome) and in areas of C cell hyperplasia and micronodules in the thyroids of patients with MCT. When these tissue extracts were examined with a bombesin RIA that recognizes bombesin but not GRP, no IR-bombesin was detected, suggesting that the IR-GRP detected in these tissues is more similar to GRP than to bombesin. IR-GRP was also undetectable in normal thyroid tissues. Plasma IR-GRP was also undetectable in normal thyroid tissues. Plasma IR-GRP was elevated to 130 to 780 pg/mL (normal: undetectable, less than 62.5 pg/mL) in three patients with metastatic MCT, and both calcium and tetragastrin increased the plasma levels of IR-GRP. Sephadex G-50 gel filtration of the MCT extracts revealed two peaks, one coeluted with porcine GRP (1-27) and the other eluted just after its carboxyl-terminal (14-27) fragment. There was a significant correlation (P less than 0.01) between the concentration of IR-GRP and that of IR-calcitonin in MCT tumor tissue and in macroscopically normal portions of thyroid tissue from two patients with MEN II, although the concentration of IR-GRP was only about 0.1% of that of IR-calcitonin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The WDHA syndrome: clinical and laboratory data on 28 Japanese cases

During the period between 1967 and 1983, there were 28 WDHA patients in Japan. Clinically, these patients were not very different from those reported in western countries, but we have been able to add a few observations as follows. First, the WDHA patients with pancreatic endocrine tumors and those with neuroblastic tumors were present in almost equal numbers. Second, fluctuating hypercalcemia was often observed in patients with this syndrome, but it was not observed in any watery diarrhea due to the other etiologies. Third, the WDHA patients who have multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 1 have multiple tumors in the pancreas, indicating that the patients with MEN should be managed in a different manner in regard to determining tumor location as well as applying surgical treatment. When various types of tumors were examined for VIP content, it was found that many tumors have the potential to produce VIP, and when VIP is produced in large amounts, plasma VIP levels become elevated, resulting in the WDHA syndrome.

A prolactin producing tumor originated in the sphenoid sinus

The case presented is a prolactin producing tumor originated in the sphenoid sinus of a 40-year-old woman. Histologically this tumor is a typical chromophobe adenoma of the pituitary gland. Human prolactin was immunohistochemically detected in the cytoplasm of most tumor cells. The tumor invaded around the pituitary gland and in the nasal cavity without distant metastasis. Clinically the patient showed hyperprolactinemia and amenorrhea.

Production of immunoreactive pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factor in small cell carcinoma of the lung

A specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for human pancreatic growth hormone-releasing factor (hpGRF) was developed. Using this radioimmunoassay, it was found that immunoreactive hpGRF (which is present in hypothalamic tissues) of at least two different molecular sizes is often produced by small cell carcinoma of the lung.

In vivo and in vitro biological activities of two human cell lines derived from anaplastic lung cancers

Cell lines Lu-65 and SK-Luci-6 were established from two patients with anaplastic (non-oat cell) lung cancers. These cell lines showed in vivo and in vitro functional activities that could explain the paraneoplastic syndromes which were clinically manifested. In both patients, elevated white blood cell counts occurred in the absence of any evidence of sepsis. Tumor fragments taken directly from one patient and transplanted to nude mice produced a progressive leukocytosis in the mice. Tissue culture-derived cells from both cell lines enhanced white blood cell numbers following heterotransplantation to nude mice. Cell-free extracts from both cell lines were found to enhance granulocyte-macrophage colony formation in soft agar. Greater colony formation was consistently found with the cell line (SK-Luci-6) that was derived from the patient manifesting the more marked leukocytosis. These data suggest that the tumor cells release colony-stimulating activities. Coincidently, one cell line (Lu-65) synthesized and released large amounts of prostaglandin E2 with little or no other prostaglandin product; the other cell line produced no prostaglandins. When the tumor cell lines were cocultured with explanted fetal rat bones, enhanced bone resorption with excessive calcium release occurred. Bone-resorbing activity correlated with tumor prostaglandin synthesis for the cell line releasing prostaglandin E2. An osteolytic factor that was neither prostaglandin nor parathyroid hormone was released by the SK-Luci-6 cell line. Hypercalcemia was a persistent feature only in the patient from whom the latter tumor line was derived.

Production and molecular size heterogeneity of immunoreactive gastrin-releasing peptide in fetal and adult lungs and primary lung tumors

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is known to be a bombesin-like peptide present in mammalian tissues. Using GRP radioimmunoassay specific for carboxyl-terminal portion, the immunoreactive GRP (IR-GRP) content of 5 fetal lungs, 38 adult lungs, and 131 primary lung tumors was determined. All fetal lung extracts contained IR-GRP ranging from 31 to 140 ng/g, wet weight. IR-GRP was present in 7 to 21% of normal adult lungs and lung carcinomas other than small-cell carcinoma; the amount was not very large except in two cases of adenocarcinoma, in which 110 and 140 ng/g of IR-GRP were detected. In the case of small-cell carcinoma, IR-GRP was found in 23 of the 31 cases examined (74%), and nine (29%) of these contained large amounts of IR-GRP (100 to 14,000 ng/g). As for carcinoid tumors, IR-GRP was found in five of the 12 cases examined (42%), and large amounts of IR-GRP were detected in two cases (5,100 to 130,000 ng/g). Immunohistochemically, IR-GRP was found in the neuroendocrine cells of fetal lungs and in the tumor cells of primary lung tumors. When these tissue extracts were examined by bombesin radioimmunoassay that recognizes bombesin but not GRP, they did not contain immunoreactive bombesin, suggesting that IR-GRP in these tissues is more similar to GRP than to bombesin. Sephadex G-50 gel filtration always revealed two peaks of IR-GRP in both fetal lungs and IR-GRP-producing tumors. One was eluted at the position corresponding to that of porcine GRP (Peak 1) and the other, at the position just behind that of porcine GRP (14-27) (Peak 2). In the five fetal lungs, Peak 2 comprised more than 83% of the total IR-GRP. In the 12 IR-GRP-producing tumors examined, the ratio of these two peaks differed from case to case. Our data indicate that IR-GRP, which is present in fetal lung, is often produced by primary lung tumors, especially by small-cell carcinoma and carcinoid tumor, with molecular size heterogeneity.

Peripheral lung carcinoid tumor producing predominantly gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP). Morphologic and hormonal studies

A carcinoid tumor of the peripheral lung producing gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), a peptide hormone known to be present in the endocrine cells of fetal bronchial epithelium, is reported. Brain-gut peptide hormones in this tumor were assayed by radioimmunoassays, localized by immunohistochemistry and characterized by gel filtration. Electron microscopic study revealed that tumor cells resembled P-cells of normal human fetal bronchial epithelium. While GRP-containing cells were predominant in this tumor, calcitonin-containing cells were also found in some areas. Difference in distribution of hormones according to histologic features was noted in the tumor. A greater portion of the tumor showed spindled cells that predominantly contained GRP, and a smaller portion of the tumor showed cells arranged in tubular or trabecular patterns that mainly contained calcitonin. The gel-filtration pattern of the tumor extracts consisted of two peaks, one of these corresponded to the synthetic replicate of porcine GRP, and another was considered to correspond to C-terminal fragments of the peptide.

[Immunomorphologic responses of regional lymph nodes and prognosis in patients with stage Ia pulmonary adenocarcinoma]

The relationship between postoperative prognosis and the immunomorphologic response of regional lymph nodes was examined in 50 patients with stage Ia peripheral bronchial adenocarcinoma and compared with 22 patients in stage Ib and II. Regarding paracortical lymphocyte hyperplasia, the prognosis of the responsive group in patients with stage Ia was significantly better than that of the non-responsive group; however, no definite relationship was found between follicular hyperplasia and prognosis. Follicular hyperplasia correlated with the size of the primary lesion or the distance from the site of the primary lesion. In stage Ib and II cases with metastasis to the pulmonary hilar lymph nodes, paracortical lymphocyte hyperplasia or follicular hyperplasia had no relation to the postoperative prognosis.

Peptide hormone production by adenocarcinomas of the lung; its morphologic basis and histogenetic considerations

The cell source of peptide hormone production and the morphological differentiation were investigated in 18 adenocarcinomas of the lung by immunohistochemistry and/or by electron microscopy. These tumors were found by radioimmunoassay of tumor extracts to contain either one or more of 7 peptide hormones, i.e. adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), beta- and gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormones (MSH), somatostatin (SS), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) and calcitonin (CT). In a combined adeno- and small cell carcinoma, a considerable number of small tumor cells were positively stained for ACTH, beta- and gamma-MSHs and GRP. In a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with mucin and CT production, these products were localized in some single cells. Electron microscopy revealed secretory granules indistinguishable from exocrine or endocrine types. In another mucin-positive adenocarcinoma with high SS and CT contents, some tumor cells were stained for SS and/or CT. Two distinct exocrine and endocrine type secretory granules were found in the same cells. In tumors with 100 ng or less of the peptides/g tissue, most tumor cells were not stained for the peptides but a small number showed morphological endocrine differentiation. In conclusion, a considerable proportion of the adenocarcinomas of the lung may show heterogeneous differentiation in both endocrine and exocrine directions.

Production of gastrin releasing peptide by medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. An immunohistochemical study

Forty medullary carcinomas of the thyroid (MCT) with documented calcitonin (CT) production were studied immunohistochemically for the production of gastrin releasing peptide (GRP), a mammalian counterpart of amphibian bombesin. GRP-positive cells, revealed by an unlabelled peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunoenzyme histochemistry were found in 81% (34/40) of the MCTs. Variable numbers of tumor cells in positive MCTs were immunostained for GRP. In 3 cases with Sipple's syndrome, cells in scattered microscopic MCT nodules and hyperplastic intrafollicular C cells of the thyroid were frequently positive for GRP as well as for CT. Non-neoplastic C cells (or CT-positive cells) of the human thyroids were also positive for GRP. In the neoplastic and non-neoplastic C cell system, some cells were confirmed to be immunoreactive with both anti-GRP and anti-CT. All these findings indicate that GRP and CT are closely associated peptide hormones produced by the C cell system.

Ultrastructural characterization of human corticotrophs (ACTH cells)

Ultrastructural characterization of human corticotrophs (ACTH cells) was performed by 'superimposition technique', which enabled detailed ultrastructural observation of immunoreactive ACTH cells in adjacent semi-thin light microscopic immunoperoxidase and routine electron microscopic sections. The human corticotrophs were large and round or polygonal and were not stellate. They had scanty rough endoplasmic membranes and were packed with numerous large secretory granules measuring from 250 to 500 nm in diameter. The sizes of secretory granules in 6 human pituitaries were 448 +/- 128, 344 +/- 86, 448 +/- 117, 244 +/- 65, 316 +/- 76, and 340 +/- 93 nm, respectively. The granules were not seen in a single row along the plasma membrane as is the case in the rat. They possessed somewhat irregular outlines with a rarely discernible halo. Different densities of granule matrices were occasionally found. The cells often contained a few large heterogeneous vacuoles. From these findings, the human ACTH cells were recognized to be remarkably different in cell shape and size, properties of secretory granules and cytoplamic inclusions from those of the rat pituitary gland. In respect to secretory granule properties, the human ACTH cells are similar to those of some other mammals (fox, young pig, and lerot). More data is required to elucidate the relationship between human ACTH cell morphology and functional state.

An immunoperoxidase study of S-100 protein distribution in normal and neoplastic tissues

The presence of S-100 protein was immunohistochemically studied in many types of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumors (260 cases). Peripheral nerve tumors, i.e., schwannomas, neurofibromas, granular cell tumors, and neurogenic sarcomas were demonstrated to contain variable amounts of S-100 protein in the tumor cell cytoplasm and nuclei. In ganglioneuromas and ganglioneuroblastomas, neoplastic Schwann cells or satellite cells were positive for S-100 protein. About one-half of the cases of carcinoid tumors stained weakly for S-100 protein. In addition to these nervous tissue and carcinoid tumors, chondrosarcoma, chordomas, pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland, and Langerhans cell granulomatosis were also shown to produce S-100 protein. In many types of breast tumors and other lesions, S-100 protein positive cells were likely to correspond to the distribution of myoepithelial cells. These results indicate that S-100 protein is not strictly specific to nervous tissue and its tumors; however, the immunohistochemical demonstration of S-100 protein can be a useful diagnostic tool in tumor diagnosis.

Characterization of two newly established human cell lines from patients with large-cell anaplastic lung carcinoma

Two permanent cell lines, designated LU-65 and SK-Luci-6, were established from large-cell anaplastic lung cancers of two patients. Both cell lines grew as solid tumors in nude mice. The histologic pattern of the tumors in the nude mouse resembled that of the primary lung cancers in that the xeno-transplanted tissues showed no distinctive features indicative of cell type, a finding consistent with origin from a large-cell anaplastic lung cancer. Cells from both lines formed clones in semisolid agar. Flow cytometric analysis of SK-Luci-6 showed a hypertriploid stemline with a very high RNA-index. Line LU-65 had a hyperdiploid stemline evolving into a hypertriploid stemline with a high RNA-index. Chromosome analysis showed aneuploidy with abnormalities and marker chromosomes in both tumor cell lines. The isoenzyme pattern of LU-65 and Sk-Luci-6 indicated that they were of human origin and distinct from HeLa cells or another common contaminating line. Both cell lines released biologically active agents that could have caused the neutrophilia and hypercalcemia seen in the patients.