Takashi M, Haimoto H, Murase T, Mitsuya H, Kato K
Department of Urology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Cancer. 1988 Mar 1;61(5):889-95. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19880301)61:5<889::aid-cncr2820610506>3.0.co;2-7.
The authors localized S100 protein in renal tubules and renal cell carcinoma by immunohistochemical study and quantitative analysis by enzyme immunoassay. The alpha subunit of S100 protein (S100-alpha) was localized in epithelial cells of proximal tubules, thin limbs of loops of Henle, collecting tubules, and a few of Bowman's capsules. The beta subunit (S100-beta) was immunostained in the distal tubules, thick and thin loops of Henle, collecting tubules, and a few proximal tubules. In renal cell carcinoma, S100-alpha was immunohistochemically demonstrated in 82% (41/50) of patients including sarcomatoid variants, whereas S100-beta was detected in 46% (23/50). Both the number of positively stained tumor cells and the staining intensity were greater in S100-alpha than in S100-beta. Concentrations of S100-alpha in the cortex were 80.3 +/- 22.5 ng/mg protein (n = 7), whereas those of renal cell carcinoma were 387 +/- 533 ng/mg protein (n = 19), i.e., about five times higher. Concentrations of S100-beta in both normal kidney (1.96 +/- 0.74 ng/mg protein) and renal cell carcinoma (2.05 +/- 2.16 ng/mg protein) were much lower than those of S100-alpha. The authors also localized S100-alpha and S100-beta in tissues of other renal tumors and tumors arising from other organs. S100a0 appears to be a useful immunohistochemical marker for renal cell carcinoma.