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American Journal of Pathology, Vol 119, 430-435, Copyright © 1985 by American Society for Investigative Pathology

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Pancreatic ganglioneuronal amyloid. Occurrence in diabetic cats with islet amyloidosis

TD O'Brien, KH Johnson and DW Hayden

Amyloid in pancreatic ganglia and nerves (ganglioneuronal amyloid) was demonstrated in 4 of 8 diabetic cats with islet amyloid deposits. Eighteen nondiabetic cats (including 4 with islet amyloid) did not have detectable amyloid in pancreatic nerves or ganglia. Ganglioneuronal amyloid had staining characteristics identical to those previously reported for islet amyloid, including 1) congophilia, 2) resistance to oxidation by KMnO4, 3) immunoreactivity (PAP technique) with antiserum to a B-chain-rich insulin fraction, and 4) no reactivity with antisera to insulin, glucagon, or somatostatin. Nonneuronal cells with insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin immunoreactivity were seen in many pancreatic ganglia and nerves; and in a few instances, B cells were found near ganglioneuronal amyloid deposits. The premise that these ganglioneuronal amyloid deposits (like islet amyloid) are insulin- related is supported by their immunoreactivity with antiserum to B- chain-rich insulin and the demonstration of B cells in pancreatic ganglia and nerves.