Summary
Concanavalin A (Con A) acceptors have been demonstrated in large differentiated neurons in a previous paper. In order to elucidate the correlation between Con A binding in normal and neoplastic neurons and lectin binding dependence upon the differentiation grade, 26 tumours of the neuronal series were examined using formalin fixed and paraffin embedded biopsy specimen. The neoplasms included 3 gangliocytomas, 7 gangliogliomas, 1 central neuroblastoma, 11 medulloblastomas, 2 retinoblastomas, and 2 sympathicoblastomas. Well differentiated neurons in gangliocytomas and gangliogliomas expressed a high intracytoplasmic Con A acceptor density comparable to the feature in large non-neoplastic neurons. Less differentiated neurons and neuroblasts showed a weak perinuclear fine granular binding or an absolute lack of binding molecules, respectively.
Our results suggest that in a variety of tumours, Concanavalin A receptor density in neurons depends upon the degree of differentiation of the cell. Well differentiated cells have a higher density than poorly differentiated neoplastic neurons.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Avrameas S, Karsenti E, Bornens M (1976) In: Bittiger H, Schnebli HP (eds) Concanavalin A as a tool. John Willy & Sons, London New York Sydney Toronto, pp 85–93
Caron M, Denguier MA, Albe X, Bisconte JC, Faure A (1981) Rhodamine isothiocyanate coupled peanut lectin for quantitative studies of D-galactosyl receptors of neuroblastoma cells. Experientia 37:1154–1157
Cotman CW, Taylor D (1974) Localization and characterization of concanavalin A receptors in the synaptic cleft. J Cell Biol 62:236–242
Feldman EL, Heacock AM, Ajranoff BW (1982) Lectin binding to neurites of goldfish retinal explants. Brain Res 248:347–354
Gurd JW, Fu SC (1982) Con A receptors associated with rat brain synaptic junctions are high mannose-type oligosaccharides. J Neurochem 39:719–725
Koch GLE, Smith MJ (1983) Concanavalin A acceptor glycoproteins: a new marker for the classification of tumour cells. Br J Cancer 47:527–536
Liwnicz BH (1982) Mitogenic lectin receptors of nervous system tumours. Study of gliomas, neural crest tumors, and meningiomas in vitro using phytohemagglutinin and Concanavalin A. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 41:281–297
March PE, Thornton ER (1983) Binding of Con A to calf brain synaptic vesicles. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 110:804–810
Rittmann BR, Mackenzie IC (1983) Effects of histological processing on lectin binding on oral mucosa and submucosa. Histochem J 15:467–474
Rorke LB (1983) The cerebellar medulloblastoma and its relationship to primitive neuroectodermal tumours. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 42:1–15
Russell DS, Rubinstein LJ (1971) Pathology of tumours of the nervous system, 3d edit Edward Arnold Ltd London
Schwechheimer K, Weiss G, Kern P, Möller P (1983a) Concanavalin A binding to normal and neoplastic human brain. Eur J Cell Biol Suppl 4:19
Schwechheimer K, Weiss G, Schnabel P, Möller P (1983b) Lectin target cells in human central nervous system and the pituitary gland. Histochemistry: in press
Schwechheimer K, Schnabel P, Möller P (1983c) Immunohistochemical localization of peanut lectin binding sites on human brain tumours as determined by peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique in paraffin sections. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 61:21–26
Sternberger LA, Hardy PH, Cuculis JJ, Meyer HG (1970) The unlabeled antibody method of immunocytochemistry: 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
Zülch KJ (ed) Histological typing of tumours of the central nervous system. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1979
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bonn-Bad Godesberg
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schwechheimer, K., Weiss, G. & Möller, P. Concanavalin a binding and neuronal differentiation. Vichows Archiv A Pathol Anat 402, 297–306 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00695083
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00695083