Labeling and quantitative analysis of six lectin receptors of intracranial gliomas

The distribution of six lectin receptors, WGA, RCA-1, LCA, PSA, PNA and SBA in 111 human gliomas, 8 human normal brain tissues and 11 reactive hyperplasia of astrocytes was observed by means of avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. Their grays were also quantified with the image analysis instrument. The results showed that WGA and RCA-1 might be used as markers for distinguishing well-differentiated astrocytomas from the reactive hyperplasia of astrocytes especially the reactivity of astrocytes had a specific feature with RCA-1. The difference in quantities of WGA, RCA-1, LCA, PSA receptors between astrocytomas, ependymomas and oligodendrogliomas, medulloblastomas might conduce to the diagnosis and classification. For astrocytomas, it was also showed that a quantity of LCA and PSA receptors was correlated with the degree of cell differentiation. Therefore, they can be used as valuable markers of the differentiation of astrocytomas.