[Ultrastructural localization of ferritin in glioma]

In this study, we localized ferritin in 30 cases of glioma under electron microscope by using immunogold staining technique, and detected serum ferritin concentration in 25 patients with gliomas by the ELISA method. The results were as follows: Ferritin positives were mainly diffused in the cell sap, and the strongest immunostain was in the secondary lysosomes, while the endothelial reticulum and Golgi apparatus were rarely found to contain ferritin. Mitochondria and nucleus never had ferritin. Elevated level of serum ferritin was seen in glioma of grade II, III and IV, but the serum ferritin level of grade I remained normal. After resection of the tumor, serum ferritin decreased. These results suggested that the neoplastic cells of glioma could synthesize ferritin and release it to the exterior of the cells resulting in elevated serum ferritin, which may be helpful for clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of glioma.