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Distribution patterns of proinsulin and insulin in human insulinomas: an immunohistochemical analysis in 76 tumors

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Virchows Archiv B

Summary

The distribution of proinsulin and insulin immunoreactivity was studied in 76 human insulinomas and in normal pancreas. One trabecular and two solid insulinomas showed the staining pattern of normal β cells. A “near normal” staining pattern (perinuclear proinsulin and diffuse or polarized insulin staining) existed in 10 of 27 trabecular and 11 of 44 solid insulinomas. An “intermediate” staining pattern (intense perinuclear as well as weaker diffuse proinsulin staining with diffuse or polarized insulin staining) was observed in 10 of 27 trabecular and 20 of 44 solid insulinomas. Different “abnormal” staining patterns were found in 6 of 27 trabecular and 6 of 44 solid insulinomas. Of the 5 glandular insulinomas, 4 exhibited a “near normal” and one an “abnormal” staining pattern. No correlation was found between any particular staining pattern and the multihormonality or malignancy of the insulinomas. The diffuse labeling for proinsulin in about 50% of the insulinomas is suggestive of abnormal prohormone processing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cell and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Zürich, Schmelzberg-strasse 12, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland

    Jürgen Roth & Philipp U. Heitz

  2. Department of Pathology, Academic Hospital Jette, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium

    Günter Klöppel

  3. Hagedorn Research Laboratory, Gentofte, Denmark

    Ole D. Madsen

  4. Department of Clinical Endocrinology, Medical Clinic, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    Max J. Storch

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  1. Jürgen Roth
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  2. Günter Klöppel
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  3. Ole D. Madsen
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  4. Max J. Storch
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  5. Philipp U. Heitz
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Roth, J., Klöppel, G., Madsen, O.D. et al. Distribution patterns of proinsulin and insulin in human insulinomas: an immunohistochemical analysis in 76 tumors. Virchows Archiv B Cell Pathol 63, 51–61 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02899244

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02899244

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