[Immunohistochemical findings in intrathoracic tumors. V. Isoenzymes of nonspecific esterases in lung tissue and bronchial cancers].

With histopolyacrylamide electrophoresis (HPAGE) no marked differences in isozyme pattern of non-specific esterase between lung tissue and bronchial carcinomas were found. Only 3 of 19 bronchial carcinomas with histochemically detectable activity of non-specific esterase in tumor tissue showed an additional isozyme with fast mobility. Acetone acts in histochemical reactions as an activator or inhibitor of activity of non-specific esterase. Macrophages, epitheloid cells, and giant cells are inhibited by acetone. In contrast, bronchial epithelial cells are activated by acetone. Bronchial carcinomas showed a different behaviour. Non-specific esterase activity is activated in epidermoid carcinomas but not in adenocarcinomas. This shows close connections to the development of epidermoid carcinomas from bronchial epithelium. Additionally in non-fixed cryostat sections of bronchial epithelium with the aid of non-specific esterase groups of strong reacting cells were demonstrated, which are probably Kultschitzky cells. Acetone inhibits completely activity of esterase in these cells.