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Semiquantitative postembedding characterization of intermediate filaments in central nervous system lesions using
D H Geiger1, D J Rossouw, R H Hewlett
1Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa.
Insights
This study used immunoelectron microscopy to analyze glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin in brain biopsies. Intermediate filament typing shows diagnostic value for characterizing brain tumors and diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Cell Biology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Intermediate filaments, including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin, are crucial cellular components.
- Understanding their expression patterns aids in diagnosing neurological disorders and tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of detecting GFAP and vimentin in routine brain biopsy specimens.
- To characterize intermediate filament expression in various glial and non-glial central nervous system lesions.
Main Methods:
- Standardized postembedding immunoelectron microscopy was employed.
- Detection and localization of GFAP and vimentin within individual intermediate filaments were performed.
Main Results:
- Dual GFAP and vimentin expression was observed in astroblastoma and Alexander's disease astrocytes.
- Vimentin antigen availability was limited, impacting ratio assessment.
- Meningiomas showed vimentin-positive filaments, while most other glial tumors exhibited GFAP-positive filaments.
- Rosenthal fibers displayed GFAP positivity.
- Oligodendroglial components lacked intermediate filaments.
Conclusions:
- Intermediate filament typing, particularly the presence of GFAP and/or vimentin, is valuable for pathological characterization of brain biopsies.
- While technical factors influence results, distinct expression patterns associate specific entities with GFAP/vimentin presence.
Abstract:
Standardized postembedding immunoelectron microscopy was performed to demonstrate glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin in individual intermediate filaments to determine the diagnostic value of demonstrating ultrastructural and immunophenotypic characteristics of intermediate filaments in routine brain biopsy specimens. Dual expression of GFAP and vimentin was observed in the astroblastoma and astrocytes of Alexander's disease. The antigen availability for vimentin, however, was too low to allow reliable assessment of the GFAP:vimentin ratio in individual intermediate filaments and/or filament bundles. In meningioma, only vimentin positive intermediate filaments were found. GFAP positive intermediate filaments were present in all other specimens except the oligodendroglial components of the mixed glioma, which were devoid of intermediate filaments. GFAP positivity in the filamentous periphery and electron-dense core of Rosenthal fibers was demonstrated. Technical and tissue processing factors had a significant effect on particle density values obtained for individual specimens. Although the number, distribution, and density of glial intermediate filaments varies in different astroglial entities, correlation of particle density values determined by immunoelectron microscopy with relative GFAP concentrations in different lesions requires utmost caution. Nevertheless, application of the postembedding approach to routinely fixed biopsy specimens indicated an association of different entities with the exclusive presence of GFAP and/or vimentin in individual intermediate filaments, thus emphasizing the diagnostic value of intermediate filament typing for pathological characterization.
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