Immunohistochemical evaluation of factor VIII related antigen, filament proteins and lectin binding in haemangiomas.

Immunohistochemical identification of factor VIII related antigen (F VIII RAG) filament proteins (actin, myosin, filamin, vimentin and desmin) and lectin binding patterns of Con A, PNA, SBA, WGA, RCA-1, UEA-1 and DBA in the endothelial cells and the muscular layers of haemangiomas and normal blood vessels are reported, using paraffin sections with the HRP method. The endothelial cells of haemangiomas were usually strongly positive to F VIII RAG as were those from capillary vessels and other small vessels. Some of the endothelium from haemangiomas and angiokeratomas was negative for factor VIII. The vessel walls of hemangiomas showed staining slightly positive for microfilaments (actin, myosin, filamin). The smooth muscle layer in small vessels showed a more marked staining with actin. Vimentin and desmin reactions in the vessel walls of haemangioma and in normal vessels were slight or moderate. UEA-1 lectin binding was constantly positive in endothelial cells from hemangiomas and in blood vessels. SBA and WGA binding appeared in the border layer of endothelium in haemangiomas and normal vessels.