The expression of intermediate filament (IF) proteins was studied in 71 cases of malignant human astrocytoma and in 17 cases of reactive gliosis, using immunocytochemical techniques with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin. In all cases of astrocytoma, varying in degree of malignancy from grade I to grade IV, co-expression of GFAP and vimentin was found. No change in vimentin- or GFAP-IF expression with increasing anaplasia was seen. In addition astrocytic cells in reactive gliosis showed simultaneous expression of GFAP and vimentin. The intracellular distribution of these IF proteins differed. Vimentin was found to be located in a more juxta-nuclear position, whereas GFAP immunoreactivity showed a more intense staining of the cellular processes. Astrocytes in reactive gliosis behaved more or less like neoplastic cells. However, thin cell processes of reactive astrocytes in the cortex and superficial white matter only contained GFAP immunoreactivity. Simultaneous expression of GFAP and vimentin and their proportion in malignant and reactive glial cells are discussed in the light of earlier reports on the IF content of glial cells during development and maturation, in which vimentin precedes GFAP-expression. The existence of two separate (functional) IF systems in astroglia is suggested.

Journal of Inherited Metabolic DiseaseVolume 5, Issue S1 p. 33-34 Short Communication Biochemical abnormalities in an infant with sudanophilic leukodystrophy R. Sengers, R. Sengers Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Bakkeren, J. Bakkeren Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorW. Ruitenbeek, W. Ruitenbeek Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorF. Trijbels, F. Trijbels Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Rotteveel, J. Rotteveel Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Slooff, J. Slooff Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorA. Janssen, A. Janssen Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this author R. Sengers, R. Sengers Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Bakkeren, J. Bakkeren Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorW. Ruitenbeek, W. Ruitenbeek Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorF. Trijbels, F. Trijbels Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Rotteveel, J. Rotteveel Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorJ. Slooff, J. Slooff Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this authorA. Janssen, A. Janssen Departments of Paediatrics and Pathology, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB The NetherlandsSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 March 1982 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01799815AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. Volume5, IssueS1March 1982Pages 33-34 RelatedInformation