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Chromogranin A and B and secretogranin II in bronchial and intestinal carcinoids

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Summary

Carcinoid tumours (bronchial and intestinal) were analyzed by immunoblotting for the presence of chromogranin A, B and secretogranin II. In all tumours an antigen corresponding in electrophoretic behaviour to adrenal chromogranin A was present. Lung carcinoids (3 out of 5) contained a relatively high concentration of a proteoglycan form of this antigen in addition. Chromogranin B was found in all tumours. In one and two dimensional immunoblotting it appeared identical to the corresponding adrenal antigen. Secretogranin II was also present, however concentrations (especially in intestinal carcinoids) were low and variable. Furthermore, in intestinal tumours it differed from the adrenal antigen by having a slightly higher molecular size and a more alkaline pI. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumour tissues stained positively for all three antigens. For secretogranin II the staining in intestinal tumours was relatively weak and quite variable. These results should provide a defined basis for immunohistochemical screening of carcinoids for the chromogranin/secretogranin antigens.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, University of Innsbruck, Peter-Mayr-Strasse 1, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    R. Weiler, R. Fischer-Colbrie & H. Winkler

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Innsbruck, Müillerstrasse 44, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    K. W. Schmid

  3. Institute of Pathology, Uppsala University, S-75185, Uppsala, Sweden

    L. Grimelius

  4. Department of Surgery, Karolinska Hospital, S-75185, Stockholm, Sweden

    B. Cedermark

  5. Institute of Pathological Anatomy and Histology, University of Turin, I-10126, Turin, Italy

    M. Papotti & G. Bussolati

Authors
  1. R. Weiler
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  2. H. Feichtinger
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  3. K. W. Schmid
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  4. R. Fischer-Colbrie
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  5. L. Grimelius
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  6. B. Cedermark
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  7. M. Papotti
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  8. G. Bussolati
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  9. H. Winkler
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Weiler, R., Feichtinger, H., Schmid, K.W. et al. Chromogranin A and B and secretogranin II in bronchial and intestinal carcinoids. Vichows Archiv A Pathol Anat 412, 103–109 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00716181

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00716181

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