Immunohistochemistry of retinoblastomas in humans

We examined immunohistochemically the distribution of the neuronal-specific protein enolase (14-3-2) in normal human retina. We also examined the distribution of neuronal-specific enolase, glial fibrillary acidic protein, myelin-associated glycoprotein, and S-100 protein in seven human retinoblastomas. In normal retina neuronal-specific enolase was present in neurons but not in other cell types. The inner segments of cones stained darkly with antiserum to neuronal-specific enolase; the inner segments of rods stained either weakly or not at all. Most small round cells in all seven retinoblastomas studied stained with antiserum to neuronal-specific enolase but Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes stained weakly or not at all. One retinoblastoma contained an area of cells that stained with antibodies to myelin-associated glycoprotein which in normal retina is found only in Müller's cells. Another retinoblastoma had an area of cells that stained with antiserum to glial fibrillary acidic protein, which in normal human retina is present only in astrocytes. All seven retinoblastomas lacked detectable S-100 protein. These results supported the conventional view that retinoblastomas are neuronal tumors although some may contain areas that show astrocytic or Müller's cell differentiation.