Tamm-Horsfall protein in human renal tumours.

Tamm-Horsfall Protein (THP) is found to be localised in the ascending loop of Henle and the distal tubules of normal and foetal kidneys. We have used an anti-THP monoclonal antibody (D2) to stain foetal, normal and kidney tumours. The dinitrophenyl hapten staining technique was the most specific and sensitive staining procedure. The staining of Tamm-Horsfall Protein in foetal and normal kidney was in agreement with most other investigators. The majority of renal cell carcinoma (22/24) and rhabdoid renal tumours (3/4) stained positively for THP. None of the Wilms' tumours, mesoblastic nephromas or bone metastasising renal tumours of childhood gave positive staining. The findings would suggest that renal cell carcinomas and rhabdoid kidney tumours arise from ascending loop of Henle or distal tubules. The lack of positive staining in the majority of childhood renal tumours raises the possibility of a different histogenesis for these neoplasms.