CHROMOGRANIN-A, SECRETOGRANIN-II AND VASOACTIVE-INTESTINAL-PEPTIDE INPHEOCHROMOCYTOMAS AND GANGLIONEUROMAS

By means of immunohistochemistry we analysed the distribution of chrom ogranin A, secretogranin II and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in 16 phaeochromocytomas, two cases of combined phaeochromocytoma-gangli oneuroma and four adrenal ganglioneuromas. Chromogranin A was found in the majority of phaeochromocytes and in mixed phaeochromocytomas-gang lioneuromas. Secretogranin II was present to a lesser degree in phaeoc hromocytes, but strong immunostaining was found in most ganglion cells of phaeochromocytomas, in the ganglioneuroma component of combined tu mours and in adrenal ganglioneuromas. Vasoactive intestinal peptide wa s present in some ganglion cells of phaeochromocytomas, in the ganglio neuroma component of mixed tumours and in three of four adrenal gangli oneuromas. On semi-adjacent sections a co-localization of VIP and secr etogranin II was demonstrated. These results indicate that neuronal di fferentiation is accompanied by an increased immunohistochemical expre ssion of secretogranin II. Therefore, secretogranin II may be a useful marker for ganglion cell differentiation.