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DNA content and marker expression in human glioma explants
1University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Pathology, Ann Arbor 48109-0602.
Acta Neuropathologica
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Most fibronectin (FN)-positive cells in cultured gliomas are neoplastic, similar to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells. This finding suggests FN-positive cells may represent tumor cells, potentially present in low numbers or exhibiting marker switching in culture.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Genetics
Background:
- Astrocytoma tissue typically shows fibronectin (FN) on vessels and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in parenchyma.
- Cultured glioma cell lines express both FN and GFAP, indicating potential complexity in cell marker expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential differences in DNA content (ploidy) between FN-positive and GFAP-positive cells in gliomas.
- To determine if FN-positive cells in cultured gliomas represent neoplastic cells.
Main Methods:
- Culturing of 33 explants from high-grade gliomas on slides.
- Double immunofluorescence for FN and GFAP markers.
- Feulgen staining followed by microdensitometry for DNA content measurement using CAS-100, with human leukocytes as diploid standards.
Main Results:
- GFAP-positive explants were predominantly hyperdiploid (11) or hypodiploid (1).
- FN-positive explants showed varied ploidy: 5 diploid, 3 hypodiploid, and 10 hyperdiploid.
- Two hyperdiploid explants with monoclonal patterns expressed both FN and GFAP, suggesting neoplastic origin for both markers.
Conclusions:
- Most FN-positive cells in cultured gliomas, alongside GFAP-positive cells, are likely neoplastic.
- The presence of FN-positive neoplastic cells may be due to low numbers in vivo or marker switching during cell culture.