Detection and Characterization of N-Glycolylated Gangliosides in Wilms Tumor by Immunohistochemistry

ALEJANDRA M. SCURSONI; LAURA GALLUZZO; SANDRA CAMARERO; NORMA POZZO; MARIANO R. GABRI; CRISTINA MATEO DE ACOSTA; ANA MARÍA VÁZQUEZ; DANIEL F. ALONSO; MARÍA TERESA G. DE DÁVILA

PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATHOLOGY

Alliance Communications Group

Año: 2010 vol. 13 p. 18 - 23

1093-5266

Gangliosides are glycolipids present on the cell surface. The N-glycolylated ganglioside NeuGc-GM3 has been described in some neoplasms such as breast carcinoma and melanoma, but is usually not detected in normal human cells. Our aim was to evaluate the presence of NeuGc-GM3 in Wilms tumor by immunohistochemistry. Post-chemotherapy tumors were grouped in different histological subtypes considering the main preserved component. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples were cut into 5-μm sections. The monoclonal antibody 14F7, a mouse IgG1 that specifically recognizes NeuGc-GM3, and a peroxidase-labeled polymer conjugated to secondary antibodies were used. Sections from breast carcinoma were employed as positive controls. Presence of NeuGc-GM3 was evident in 22 of 25 cases (88%). The staining was stronger in the epithelial component, with a membrane pattern and cytoplasmic diffusion. The stromal component expressed cytoplasmic NeuGc-GM3 in cells with rabdomyoblastic differentiation. Tubules of adjacent renal tissue were also positive, but no expression of NeuGc-GM3 was detected in non-tumoral fetal kidney. Until now, the expression of N-glycolylated gangliosides in pediatric solid tumors has not been investigated. The present study evidenced the expression of NeuGc-GM3 in a high proportion of Wilms tumors, suggesting its potential utility as a specific target of immunotherapy.