Supra- and infratentorial pediatric ependymomas differ significantly in NeuN, p75 and GFAP expression

J Neurooncol. 2013 Apr;112(2):191-7. doi: 10.1007/s11060-013-1062-1. Epub 2013 Jan 31.

Abstract

Ependymomas comprise 8 % of all intracranial tumors in children <15 years. Recent studies revealed that some supratentorial ependymomas express neuronal antigens and that high expression of neurofilament protein light polypeptide (NEFL) correlates with better clinical outcome. We retrospectively analyzed an expanded panel of proteins in 6 supratentorial, 15 posterior fossa and 4 spinal pediatric ependymomas by immunohistochemistry. Expression of high and low affinity neurotrophin receptors TrkA (NTRK1) and p75 (NGFR), pan-neuronal markers NeuN (RBFOX3) and synaptophysin, radial glial marker SOX9, adhesion molecules CD56 (NCAM) and CD44, junctional protein connexin 43 (GJA1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), epithelial membrane antigen and proliferation associated antigen Ki-67 were evaluated in a semi-quantitative or quantitative (Ki-67 and NeuN-index) fashion. We found p75 and NeuN to be expressed at significantly higher levels in supratentorial versus infratentorial tumors and GFAP to be expressed at significantly higher levels in infratentorial lesions. In conclusion, immunohistochemical expression of p75, NeuN and GFAP differed in ependymomas depending on tumor topography supporting the view of divergent cells of origin. However, because of the small sample size the results are of preliminary nature and replication in a larger cohort would be desirable.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antigens, Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Ependymoma / metabolism*
  • Ependymoma / pathology
  • Ependymoma / therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Infant
  • Infratentorial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Infratentorial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Infratentorial Neoplasms / therapy
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Supratentorial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Supratentorial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Supratentorial Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Antigens, Nuclear
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • NGFR protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • neuronal nuclear antigen NeuN, human