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American Journal of Pathology, Vol 109, 1-7, Copyright © 1982 by American Society for Investigative Pathology

REGULAR ARTICLES

Immunohistochemical and immunoelectron-microscopic study of pituitary adenomas associated with Cushing's disease. A report of 13 cases

C Charpin, J Hassoun, C Oliver, P Jaquet, B Argemi, F Grisoli and M Toga

Thirteen pituitary adenomas were removed from patients with Cushing's disease by the transphenoidal route. All cases demonstrated a typical histochemical and ultrastructural pattern. Immunocytochemical study by means of the immunoperoxidase technique and light or electron microscopy demonstrated 1-24/1-39 adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in all cases, lipotropin/melanotropin (beta-LPH/beta-MSH) in 10 cases, beta-endorphin in 8 cases, and an absence of calcitonin in all cases. In addition, in 2 cases tumor tissue contained a few antiprolactin immunoreactive cells. These ACTH, beta-LPH, and beta-endorphin immunoreactivities may reflect either the peptides themselves or their precursors or intermediate products. The authors also suggest a possible intermediate-lobe-like processing of beta-LPH leading to beta- endorphin production, which may act on PRL cells. In addition, no positive arguments for the existence of a common precursor for calcitonin and ACTH could be provided from this study.