Proliferating potential of folliculo-stellate cells in human pituitary adenomas. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic analysis.

Folliculo-stellate cells (FS cells) in 40 pituitary adenomas and portions of anterior pituitary adjacent to the tumor in 26 cases were investigated immunohistochemically, using polyclonal antisera to S-100 protein (S-100) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The objective was to clarify the histological behavior of the FS cells. In most pituitary adenomas there were few or no S-100- or GFAP-positive cells, in comparison with numerous positive cells in the parts of the adenohypophyses compressed by adenomas. However, positive FS cells were observed in some types of pituitary adenomas. Growth hormone and prolactin producing adenomas frequently contained significant amounts of FS cells. In non-functioning adenomas, an unique case of FS cell adenoma was present. The adenoma was composed mainly of FS cells and immature glandular cells. The FS cells were sometimes located around follicles containing Periodic acid Schiff-positive material. Therefore, the FS cell adenoma is characterized by S-100- and GFAP-positive FS cells and PAS-positive follicles. In this type of adenoma, FS cells seemed to be the main proliferating component. In parts of the adenohypophyses adjacent to the adenomas, GFAP-positive FS cells were numerous. In the pathological conditions FS cells may possess the potential of reactive proliferation.