Sustentacular cells of phaeochromocytoma express positivity for gastrin and bombesin

ABSTRACT

To assess the presence of certain growth factors in phaeochromocytoma. Materials and Serial sections at 5[micro] thickness were made from paraffin embedded blocks of surgical specimens of ten cases of human phaeochromocytoma. Antibodies to gastrin, bombesin or its C-terminal precursor, as well as antibodies to S-100 protein were applied utilizing avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. Sustentacular cells as identified by S-100 protein stained positively with antibodies to Gastrin and Bombesin. Gastrin and Bombesin, which are growth factors, were demonstrated in sustentacular cells of phaeochromocytoma. This finding is in agreement with recent studies which showed that folliculo-stellate cells of the pituitary are capable of producing active growth factors that can stimulate tumor growth