[Immunohistochemical localization of proteoglycans in interstitial elements of human bladder cancer]

The immunohistochemical localization of glycosaminoglycan side chains and core protein of proteoglycan was observed, using monoclonal antibodies, on 8 specimens of non-tumor bladder tissues and 26 specimens of bladder tumors obtained from total cystectomy or transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-Bt). In non-tumor tissues of human bladder examined, the surface of urothelial epithelium consisted of heparan sulfate as revealed with antibody HepSS-1, and submucosal interstitial elements consisted mainly of small proteoglycan having chondroitin 4-sulfate side chains as revealed with antibodies 6B6 and 9A2, respectively. On the other hand, in bladder tumors examined, the interstitial fibrous elements, the so-called "specific stroma" in cancer cell nests, consisted mainly of large proteoglycans having chondroitin 4-sulfate or 6-sulfate side chains as revealed with antibodies 2B1, 9A2 and 3B3, respectively. Antibodies 2B1 and 3B3 are considered to be useful to demonstrate the involvement by invasive growth of bladder tumor cells.