Lectin histochemistry of kidney tumours and its pathomorphological relevance

Thirty kidney tumours of various histological type were histochemically investigated under the light microscope by means of the ABC-method. We used four biotinylated lectins which are known to bind also to normal renal tubular epithelial cells of different nephron segments. The nuclear grade, the histological growth pattern, the cell type and the histogenesis of the tumours were studied. The lectin of Lotus tetragonolobus bound to nine out of ten renal cell carcinomas with low nuclear grade, but in contrast no binding was seen in eight poorly differentiated ones. Four carcinomas mimicking collecting duct epithelium were also negative after treatment with this lectin, but showed strong staining after treatment with peanut agglutinin, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin and soybean agglutinin. Five oncocytomas showed a high affinity only for Dolichos biflorus agglutinin and only one case was positive with Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin; three tubulo-papillary adenomas of the renal cortex without any oncocytes were negative with all of the lectins used. The value of lectin histochemistry in tumour pathology and its significance in routine pathological examination of kidney tumours are discussed.