Alpha-subunit immunoreactivity in plurihormonal pituitary adenomas of patients with acromegaly

Mod Pathol. 1991 Mar;4(2):191-5.

Abstract

Twelve plurihormonal pituitary adenomas, removed surgically from 11 of 20 patients with acromegaly, were investigated. The mean age of the 11 patients was 45 yr. Seven patients with eight tumors were men. The tumors were immunostained for all known adenohypophysial hormones by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) technique. All 12 adenomas were immunoreactive for growth hormone (GH) and alpha-subunit; prolactin (PRL) was detected in five tumors. Stains for the beta-subunits of glycoprotein hormones [thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH)] revealed immunopositivity for specific beta-subunits in ten adenomas. The close association between GH and alpha-subunit in pituitary tumors of acromegalic patients remains to be explained.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acromegaly / complications*
  • Adenoma / complications*
  • Adenoma / immunology
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / immunology
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / immunology
  • Growth Hormone / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Luteinizing Hormone / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / immunology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prolactin / immunology
  • Thyrotropin / immunology

Substances

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Prolactin
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone
  • Thyrotropin
  • Growth Hormone