Immunohistochemical demonstration of serum proteins in human cerebral gliomas.

The leakage of different serum proteins, including immunoglobulins, into human cerebral gliomas was studied by use of the unlabeled peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method on cryostat and paraffin sections. Our series of 50 tumour biopsies included 21 isomorphic astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas (grade II), 19 anaplastic astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas (grade III), and 10 glioblastomas (grade IV). The immunohistochemical staining of the serum proteins was similar on paraffin and cryostat sections and graded with respect to occurrence, distribution, and intensity. Serum proteins of a small hydrodynamic radius with a low serum concentration (prealbumin) or with a high serum concentration (albumin) were diffusely present in the interstitial spaces of all glioma types. Serum proteins with a medium molecular size and variable serum concentrations, i.e. IgG, IgA, and ceruloplasmin, were detected preferentially in anaplastic gliomas and in glioblastomas (grade III and IV) displaying comparable distribution patterns but different intensities. Alpha-2-macroglobulin a serum protein with a large hydrodynamic radius was also demonstrated in grade III and IV gliomas, whereas IgM and beta-lipoprotein being the largest serum proteins tested were almost restricted to blood vessels and tumour necroses. In addition, most serum proteins occurred with high intensities in those areas of isomorphic grade II gliomas that showed a macro- or microcystic or mucinous tissue degeneration. The varying immunohistochemical staining results for the serum proteins studied indicate that the blood-brain barrier within isomorphic and anaplastic gliomas is not completely disturbed. It appears that the vascular permeability is preferentially increased for small-sized serum proteins, whereas the leakage of larger serum proteins into the glioma interstitium seems to depend on the tumour type and on increasing malignancy.