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Immunohistochemical demonstration of alpha1-antichymotrypsin and alpha1 -antitrypsin in the normal pituitary gland and its tumors

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Abstract

The immunohistochemical distribution of the protease inhibitors alpha1-antichymotrypsin (alpha1-ACT) and alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) has been documented in the normal human pituitary gland and in a series of pituitary tumors. In normal gland, alpha1-ACT was localized mainly in the dendritic folliculostellate cells, identified by immunopositivity for S 100 protein. A minority of endocrine cells also stained in 3 of 10 autopsy glands. Folliculostellate cells were identified in 11 of 28 tumors, and again, the distribution of alpha1-ACT positivity corresponded to these cells. In 4 cases, there was staining of a small minority of tumor cells. Alpha1-AT was localized to colloid in the microfollicles of the anterior lobe. In I normal gland, there was granular staining of endocrine cells. Alpha1-AT was present in 5 tumors, in microfollicles and in scattered endocrine cells in 2 adenomas. These data would support a physiological role for alpha1-ACT and alpha1-AT in the pituitary gland. Their differing distribution might reflect different functions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Department of Pathology, Royal Infirmary, Castle Street, G4 OSF, Glasgow, UK

    Anne M. McNicol, Susan Smith, James A. Richmond, David I. Graham & Graham M. Teasdale

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  1. Anne M. McNicol
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  2. Susan Smith
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  3. James A. Richmond
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  4. David I. Graham
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  5. Graham M. Teasdale
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McNicol, A.M., Smith, S., Richmond, J.A. et al. Immunohistochemical demonstration of alpha1-antichymotrypsin and alpha1 -antitrypsin in the normal pituitary gland and its tumors. Endocr Pathol 1, 109–115 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02915626

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