GFAP, F VIII/RAg, laminin, and fibronectin in gliosarcomas: an immunohistochemical study.

GFAP, Factor VIII/RAg, laminin, and fibronectin were immunohistochemically investigated in 15 glioblastomas and 15 gliosarcomas . GFAP was found variably positive in the glial areas. F VIII/RAg characterizes the endothelial cells and in gliosarcomas suggests the origin of the sarcomatous component from the endothelial proliferations. Laminin separates the two components and characterizes the inner and the outer basement membranes in the vessels. It is multiplied and thickened in endothelial proliferations, while it is often fragmented in the larger vessel wall proliferations. Our observations confirm that gliosarcoma represents the last stage of a process which starts with the endothelial hyperplasia of glioblastoma.