Chemotherapy-induced expression of alpha B-crystallin in neuroblastoma

Since alpha B-crystallin is known to be expressed in glial tissues of human brain and neuroectodermal tumors, the alpha B-crystallin content of neuroblastomas, may be related to the degree of glial or neuronal differentiation. The alpha B-crystallin content of 73 neuroblastomas, was determined by enzyme immunoassay. The concentration of alpha B-crystallin was examined in light of neuroblastoma prognostic factors. Neuroblastomas from patients who received chemotherapy (n = 23) contained higher concentrations of alpha B-crystallin than those from patients who did not receive chemotherapy (n = 50) (P > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in alpha B-crystallin concentrations in advanced stage patients who received preoperative chemotherapy (P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated alpha B-crystallin expression in the nerve-like fibers and a few ganglion-like cells. Staining was not apparent in the less differentiated cells in the tumor cell nest. alpha B-crystallin may play a role in the response to cellular stress in neuroblastoma.