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Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies of intraluminal crystalloids in human prostatic carcinomas
Y Ohtsuki1, M Furihata, K Inoue
1Department of Pathology, Kochi Medical School, Japan.
Insights
Intraluminal crystalloids (ICr) are unique structures found in prostate cancer tissues. Positive staining with PTAH and anti-EMA antibody makes ICr a valuable diagnostic marker for human prostatic carcinoma.
Area of Science:
- Uropathology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Intraluminal crystalloids (ICr) are crystalline structures found within lumens.
- Their diagnostic significance in human prostatic carcinoma (PCa) requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the morphology and immunophenotype of ICr in human prostatic tissues.
- To evaluate the utility of ICr as a diagnostic marker for PCa.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry using hematoxylin and eosin, PTAH, and anti-EMA antibody.
- Electron microscopy for ultrastructural analysis.
Main Results:
- ICr exhibited diverse shapes (needle-like, triangular, lump-like) and were eosinophilic.
- Strong positive staining with PTAH and specifically with anti-EMA antibody was observed in all PCa cases.
- Electron microscopy revealed annual ring-like lamellar structures within ICr.
Conclusions:
- ICr possess distinct morphological and ultrastructural features.
- Positive staining for PTAH and anti-EMA antibodies in ICr are highly useful diagnostic markers for human prostatic carcinoma.
- ICr can aid in differentiating PCa from benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Abstract:
Intraluminal crystalloids (ICr) observed in 19 cases of incidental or invasive human prostatic carcinoma (PCa) and in a case of benign prostatic hyperplasia were examined extensively by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. They were brilliantly eosinophilic with haematoxylin and eosin, manifesting needle-like, triangular, rectangular, hexagonal and irregular lump-like in shape. They were strongly positive, dark blue, with phosphotungstic acid -haematoxylin (PTAH) stain in all cases examined. Among the human antibodies tested, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) gave specifically positive immunostainability with ICr in all cases. Annual ring-like lamellar or concentric structures were detected by electron microscopy. Positive staining of ICr with PTAH and anti-EMA antibody is very useful as a diagnostic marker for PCa in human prostatic tissues.