Lipocortin-1 immunoreactivity in central and peripheral nervous system glial tumors.

We examined the cellular distribution of lipocortin-1 (L-1), a major physiologic substrate for the epidermal growth factor receptor/kinase, in 122 central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) neoplasms using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique with a polyclonal antibody specific for L-1. Extensive L-1 immunoreactivity was demonstrated in many CNS tumors; in 11 of 21 glioblastoma multiformes, in five of 12 anaplastic astrocytomas, and in five of 14 astrocytomas. Significant numbers of immunoreactive ependymocytes or astrocytes were also seen in six of 13 ependymomas. In contrast, no immunostaining was detected in the oligodendrocytes in any of ten oligodendrogliomas. PNS tumors, found in two of five malignant nerve sheath tumors, 13 of 15 schwannomas, 13 of 17 neurofibromas, and 14 of 15 traumatic neuromas, also contained considerable L-1 immunoreactivity in Schwann cells or mast cells. These findings raise the possibility that L-1 may participate in the proliferation or subsequent differentiation of neoplastic astrocytes, ependymocytes, and Schwann cells.