Summary
Tissue from seven patients with tuberous sclerosis and subependymal giant-cell tumors was examined with special stains, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. Immunoreactive glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was not found in the giant cells of four tumors, but was present in some tumor cells in the other three. Immunoreactive S-100 protein was present in tumor cells of six cases; it was also seen in more tumor cells than was GFAP. Electron microscopy was similar in all cases and showed that the tumor cells had numerous organelles — many dense bodies thought to be primary lysosomes, swollen mitochondria, Golgi complexes, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes, and sparsely distributed intermeadiate filaments. In one case, neurosecretory granules, microvilli, and synapses were observed. In another subject, prominent, thick bundles of glial filaments were seen. These findings suggest that the tumor is made up of unique cells in addition to cells with recognizable neuronal or astrocytic features.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arseni C, Alexianu M, Horvat L, Alexianu D, Petrovici A (1972) Fine structure of atypical cells in tuberous sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 21:185–193
Bender BL, Yunis EJ (1980) Central nervous system pathology of tuberous sclerosis in children. Ultra Pathol 1:287–299
de Chadarévian JP, Hollenberg RD (1979) Subependymal giant cell tumor of tuberose sclerosis: a light and ultrastructural study. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 38:419–433
Donato R, Michetti F (1974) S-100 protein in cerebral cortex synaptosomes. Experientia 30:511–512
Donegani G, Grattarola FR, Wildi E (1972) Tuberous sclerosis. Bournecville disease. In: Vinken PJ, Bruyn GW (eds) Handbook of clinical neurology, vol 14. The phakomatoses. North-Holland, Amsterdam pp 340–389
Fuster P (1968) Anatomiá patológica en la esclerosis tuberosa y patogenia. Rev Esp Otoneurooftal 27:316–326 (in Spanish)
Globus JH (1938) Glioneuroma and spongioneuroblastoma, forms of primary neuroectodermal tumors of brain. Am J Cancer 32:163–220
Grimelius L (1968) A silver nitrate stain for α2 cells in human pancreatic islets. Acta Soc Med Upsal 73:243–270
Labourdette G, Marks A (1975) Synthesis of S-100 protein in monolayer cultures of rat-glial cells. Eur J Biochem 58:73–79
Ludwin SK, Kosek JC, Eng LF (1976) The topographical distribution of S-100 and GFA proteins in the adult rat brain: an immunohistochemical study using horseradish peroxidaselabelled antibodies. J Comp Neurol 165:197–207
Marty-Double C, Demêmes D, Marty R (1976) Tumeur gliale intraventriculaire au cours de l'évolution d'une sclérose tubéreuse de Bourneville: étude ultrastructurale. Ann Anat Pathol 21:329–338
Matus A, Mughal S (1975) Immunohistochemical localization of S-100 protein in brain. Nature 258:746–748
Misugi K, Aoki I, Shimada H, Sasaki Y, Nakajima T (1982) S-100 protein in neuroblastoma group tumors. Lab Invest 46:11 (Abstr)
Nakamura Y, Becker LE, Marks A (1983) Distribution of immunoreactive S-100 protein in pediatric brain tumors. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 42:136–145
Probst A, Ohmacker H (1977) Sclérose tubéreuse de Bourneville chez un prématuré. Ultrastructure des cellules atypiques: présence de microvillosités. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 40:157–161
Ribadeau-Dumas JL, Poirier J, Escourolle R (1973) Etude ultrastructurale des lésions cérébrales de la sclérose tubéreuse de Bourneville. A propos de deux cas. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 25:259–270
Rubinstein LJ (1972) Tumors of the central nervous system. Atlas of tumor pathology, fasc 6. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, p 40
Russell DS, Rubinstein LJ (1977) Pathology of tumours of the nervous system, 4th edn. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, p 165
Sima AAF, Robertson DM (1979) Subependymal giant-cell astrocytoma. Case report with ultrastructural study. J Neurosurg 50:240–245
Stefansson K, Wollmann R (1980) Distribution of glial fibrillary acidic protein in central nervous system lesions of tuberous sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 52:135–140
Stefansson K, Wollmann R (1981) Distribution of the neuronal specific protein, 14-3-2, in central nervous system lesions of tuberous sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 53:113–117
Sternberger LA, Hardy PH Jr, Cuculis JJ, Meyer HG (1970) The unlabeled antibody enzyme method of immunohistochemistry. Preparation and properties of soluble antigen-antibody complex (horseradish peroxidase-antihorseradish peroxidase) and its use in identification of spirochetes. J Histochem Cytochem 18: 315–333
Trombley IK, Mirra SS (1981) Ultrastructure of tuberous sclerosis: cortical tuber and subependymal tumor. Ann Neurol 9: 174–181
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nakamura, Y., Becker, L.E. Subependymal giant-cell tumor: Astrocytic or neuronal?. Acta Neuropathol 60, 271–277 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691876
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691876