Utility of Peripherin Versus MAP-2 and Calretinin in the Evaluation of Hirschsprung Disease

Role of the Intermediate Filament Protein Peripherin in Health and Disease

Intermediate filaments are the most heterogeneous class among cytoskeletal elements. While some of them have been well-characterized, little is known about peripherin. Peripherin is a class III intermediate filament protein with a specific expression in the peripheral nervous system. Epigenetic modifications are involved in this cell-type-specific expression. Peripherin has important roles in neurite outgrowth and stability, axonal transport, and axonal myelination. Moreover, peripherin interacts with proteins involved in vesicular trafficking, signal transduction, DNA/RNA processing, protein folding, and mitochondrial metabolism, suggesting a role in all these processes. This review collects information regarding peripherin gene regulation, post-translational modifications, and functions and its involvement in the onset of a number of diseases.

Biomarkers and Their Possible Functions in the Intestinal Microenvironment of Chagasic Megacolon: An Overview of the (Neuro)inflammatory Process

The association between inflammatory processes and intestinal neuronal destruction during the progression of Chagasic megacolon is well established. However, many other components play essential roles, both in the long-term progression and control of the clinical status of patients infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Components such as neuronal subpopulations, enteric glial cells, mast cells and their proteases, and homeostasis-related proteins from several organic systems (serotonin and galectins) are differentially involved in the progression of Chagasic megacolon. This review is aimed at revealing the characteristics of the intestinal microenvironment found in Chagasic megacolon by using different types of already used biomarkers. Information regarding these components may provide new therapeutic alternatives and improve the understanding of the association between T. cruzi infection and immune, endocrine, and neurological system changes.

Diagnostic Algorithm in Hirschsprung's Disease: Focus on Immunohistochemistry Markers

BACKGROUND/AIM

Hirschsprung disease (HD) is caused by the congenital absence of ganglion cells in the distal bowel (aganglionosis). Rectal biopsy is considered important for its diagnosis. The aim of this study was to apply immunohistochemical staining using a minimal set of antibodies and develop an algorithm that will assist in the diagnosis of HD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Rectal or colonic biopsies were performed in patients with HD (n=26) or patients treated for other bowel diseases (n=34). Immunohistochemical staining was performed for MAP1b, peripherin, S-100, calretinin, NSE, bcl-2 and CD56 proteins.

RESULTS

Staining for CD56, S-100, peripherin and calretinin facilitated the identification of ganglion cells. The use of CD56 and S-100 antibodies together resulted in the highest rate of ganglion cell staining intensity (94%).

CONCLUSION

We propose a practical diagnostic algorithm with the application of CD56 and S-100 antibodies that can be used in clinical practice in children suspected of Hirschsprung's disease.

Pathogenesis of chronic constipation in a Polish group of paediatric patients - an attempt to create the optimal histopathological diagnostic protocol

Introduction

Histopathological diagnosis of chronic constipation in children is difficult and time-consuming because the aetiology of the problem is heterogenous.

Aim

To create the optimal immunohistochemical (IHC) and histological diagnostic protocol using novel antibodies and assessing precisely their patterns.

Material and methods

Twenty-eight paediatric patients were enrolled to the study. The study group consisted of the following: 9 patients with confirmed Hirschsprung’s disease (HD), 11 patients with desmosis of the colon (DC) (3) or with chronic constipation of unknown aetiology (3), and eight children operated on due to other problems. Retrospective analysis of full-thickness material from the large intestine was performed. In each specimen the number of ganglion cells was estimated per square millimetre as well as the number of submucosal and intramuscular ganglion cells per ganglion. The following IHC and histological stains were also performed: calretinin, CD117, picrosirius, and trichrome gomori. Patterns (nuclear vs. cytoplasmic vs. membranous) and intensity (strong vs. faint) of the stainings were analysed.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between groups while comparing the intensity and pattern of each staining, except HD (no staining due to lack of ganglion cells), p > 0.001. Calretinin was positive in each patient with ganglion cells; however, it did not unequivocally stain all cells identified in routine haematoxylin and eosin staining.

Conclusions

Calretinin is helpful in identifying ganglion cells; however, it cannot replace an experienced paediatric pathologist. In children with chronic constipation it is worth obtaining a full thickness intestinal biopsy in order to perform additional histological and immunohistochemical stains starting with picrosirius red.

Congenital Segmental Intestinal Dilatation: A 25-Year Review with Long-Term Follow-up at the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria

Background and Aim  Congenital segmental intestinal dilatation (CSID) is a neonatal condition with unclear etiology and pathogenesis. Typically, the newborn with CSID presents with a limited (circumscribed) bowel dilatation, an abrupt transition between normal and dilated segments, neither intrinsic nor extrinsic perilesional obstruction, and no aganglionosis or neuronal intestinal dysplasia. We aimed to review this disease and the long-term follow-up at the Children's Hospital of the Medical University of Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria. Study Design  Retrospective 25-year review of medical charts, electronic files, and histopathology of neonates with CSID. Results  We identified four infants (three girls and one boy) with CSID. The affected areas included duodenum, ileum, ascending colon, and sigmoid colon. Noteworthy, all patients presented with a cardiovascular defect, of which two required multiple cardiac surgical interventions. Three out of the four patients recovered completely. To date, the three infants are alive. Conclusion  This is the first report of patients with CSID and cardiovascular defects. The clinical and surgical intervention for CSID also requires a thorough cardiologic evaluation in these patients. CSID remains an enigmatic entity pointing to the need for joint forces in identifying common loci for genetic investigations.