Expression of insulin-like growth factors and their receptors in human meningiomas

Meningiomas have previously been shown to highly express the gene for insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), and receptors for IGF-I have been demonstrated by binding studies in membranes prepared for meningiomas. The co-expression of insulin and the insulin-like growth factors with their corresponding receptors in meningiomas has not been explored. Immunofluorescence microscopy was carried out on twelve meningotheliomatous meningiomas using antibodies directed against insulin, IGF-I, IGF-II, insulin receptor and IGF-I receptor. In addition, these results were contrasted with similar studies using antibodies against desmoplakin and basic fibroblast growth factor. Although insulin immunoreactivity was detected in only one tumor, IGF-I and IGF-II immunoreactivity was present in six and eight of the tumors, respectively. In addition, the IGF-I receptor was expressed in four of the tumors while the insulin receptor was expressed in 10 out of 12 meningiomas. The pattern of distribution of IGF-II and the insulin receptor was especially regional. The insulin-like growth factors and their receptors are expressed in meningiomas in a pattern of distribution suggestive of a paracrine mechanism.