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Thomsen-Friedenreich glycotope is expressed in developing and normal kidney but not in renal neoplasms
Abstract:
The Thomsen-Friedenreich glycotope (TF) is considered a general carcinoma autoantigen and is therefore of importance in cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy. We report the distribution of the TF glycotope in developing and adult human kidney and renal neoplasms. A monoclonal antibody and the lectin amaranthin were used to study the TF and its sialylated, masked form by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. In developing kidney, the TF was restricted to the loop of Henle, distal tubules, and peripheral collecting ducts, whereas its sialylated form was detectable in all epithelial differentiations derived from the 2 embryonic anlagen, the metanephrogenic blastema being unreactive. This pattern was essentially preserved in adult kidney, with TF labeling beginning in the thick ascending limb and extending into the collecting ducts of outer medulla. The sialylated TF glycotope was additionally observed in ascending thin limbs. The TF was exclusively expressed in the luminal cell surface and hence was inaccessible to immune reactions. Analysis of a spectrum of renal neoplasms failed to detect the TF, with the exception of occasional staining of tubules in nephroblastoma. Moreover, the sialylated TF was only detectable in oncocytoma, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, cystic nephroma, nephroblastoma, and nephroblastomatosis complex and occasionally in type 1 papillary renal cell carcinoma. Thus, the TF and its sialylated form are expressed in normal developing and adult kidney. However, the TF does not seem to represent a tumor-associated glycotope in human kidney, nor does it appear to be of value in diagnosis and immunotherapy of renal neoplasms.
Insights
The Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) glycotope is present in developing and adult kidneys but not typically in renal neoplasms. Its luminal cell surface expression limits its utility in kidney cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) glycotope is a known carcinoma autoantigen.
- Its role in kidney cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the distribution of the TF glycotope and its sialylated form in developing and adult human kidneys.
- To evaluate the TF glycotope's presence in various renal neoplasms for diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were employed.
- A monoclonal antibody and the lectin amaranthin were used to detect TF and its sialylated form.
Main Results:
- In developing kidneys, TF was found in Henle's loop, distal tubules, and collecting ducts; its sialylated form was widespread in epithelial differentiations.
- In adult kidneys, TF distribution was similar, primarily in the outer medulla's collecting ducts and thick ascending limb.
- The sialylated TF glycotope was also detected in ascending thin limbs.
- TF was exclusively on the luminal cell surface, inaccessible to immune reactions.
- TF was largely absent in renal neoplasms, except for rare nephroblastoma tubules.
- The sialylated TF was detected in specific tumors: oncocytoma, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, cystic nephroma, nephroblastoma, nephroblastomatosis complex, and occasionally papillary renal cell carcinoma type 1.
Conclusions:
- The TF glycotope and its sialylated form are expressed in normal developing and adult kidney tissues.
- TF is not a significant tumor-associated glycotope in human kidney.
- The TF glycotope has limited value for diagnosis or immunotherapy of renal neoplasms due to its expression pattern and location.