Intermediate filaments of myofibroblasts. Immunochemical and immunocytochemical analyses

We generated a monoclonal anti-vimentin antibody, VIM-1, by mouse hybridoma technique, using an established myofibroblast line as a whole cell immunogen. The presence of vimentin polypeptides in the cultured myofibroblasts was confirmed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. By light microscopic immunocytochemistry, myofibroblasts in cultures as well as in frozen tissue sections showed a strong reaction with the anti-vimentin antibody, whereas these cells lacked either detectable desmin or cytokeratin. Our results support the fibroblastic origin of myofibroblasts. Immunoelectron microscopic study with ferritin-ABC technique demonstrated that VIM-1 reacted exclusively with 10-nm intermediate filaments, while other cellular structures revealed uniformly negative reaction against the antibody.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma of the hand

A case of juvenile xanthogranuloma in the hand is reported. The lesion was atypical clinically, being sited in the hand and the tumour was so large that it extended from the palmar to the dorsal surface. Curettage was performed at seven weeks after birth and histological examination established a diagnosis of juvenile xanthogranuloma. The post-operative course was uneventful, and the residual lesion had disappeared spontaneously four years after operation.