MAP-2e, a novel MAP-2 isoform, is expressed in gliomas and delineates tumor architecture and patterns of infiltration.

The MAP-2 isoform containing exon 13 (MAP-2e) is expressed in human fetal development as early as 15 gestational weeks and parallels oligodendrocyte maturation. MAP-2e is down-regulated following myelination and is expressed in few cells in the adult central nervous system (CNS). To determine whether CNS tumors express MAP-2e, we screened 122 archival, paraffin-embedded adult and pediatric tumors of the CNS and non-CNS. All oligodendrogliomas were positive and extensive staining was observed in glioblastomas, various malignant gliomas and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors. MAP-2e was not expressed in non-CNS tumors or neuroblastomas. Thus. neuroectodermal tumors that have glial characteristics express this developmental marker of immature glia. Analysis of oligodendrogliomas demonstrated numerous cell morphologies from round cells with no processes to cells with single or multiple processes. MAP-2e immunostaining also delineated tumor invasion into adjacent gray and white matter, indicating that MAP-2e appears to be a useful marker for examining the infiltration of malignant cells into surrounding tissue.