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Melanin as a component of cerebral gliomas: the melanotic cerebral ependymoma
Abstract:
Even though melanin is found in certain central nervous system neurons and leptomeningeal melanocytes, gliomas rarely possess melanin. A few rare lethal melanotic medulloblastomas found typically in the cerebellar vermis of children have been described, but neuroglial cells have not been observed to contain this pigment. Since glial elements and the melanotic pigmented layer of the retina are derived from the same ciliated epithelium of the embryonic neural tube, recognition of melanin in a cerebral glioma was predictable. Indeed, melanin was observed in a cystic cerebral ependymal glioma from a 30-year-old woman, supporting the potential of glial cells to produce melanin.
Insights
Melanin, a pigment, is rarely found in gliomas. This study observed melanin in a cerebral glioma, demonstrating that glial cells have the potential to produce this pigment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Melanin is present in certain central nervous system neurons and leptomeningeal melanocytes.
- Gliomas, tumors of glial cells, typically do not contain melanin.
- Rare cases of melanotic medulloblastomas have been documented, but not in neuroglial cells.