A comparative study of the localization of plasminogen and apolipoprotein(a) in human carcinomas

Recently, it was reported that there is a significant elevation of total plasma apolipoprotein(a) level in cancer patients. Because of their structural homology and immunological cross-reactivity, localization of the plasminogen and the apolipoprotein(a) was comparatively studied in cancerous tissues of breast (N = 4) and colon (N = 3) by immunofluorescence. The following results were obtained: 1) Tumor cells isolated or in nodules were strongly stained in all cancerous samples using antiserum against Pg, absorbed or not with Lp(a). 2) Tumor cells were lightly stained in two breast carcinomas, using anti-Lp(a) serum. All other carcinomas were negative. The staining was abolished when anti-Lp(a) serum was absorbed with Pg. 3) Blood vessels were strongly stained using antiserum against Lp(a) even when it was absorbed with Pg. Anti-Pg serum decorated only a few capillaries. These results show that the two proteins have different localizations: Lp(a) is seen exclusively in the vascular system. The component present at the surface of tumor cells is plasminogen (or plasmin) but not Lp(a).