Neuronal Origin of Human Esthesioneuroblastoma Demonstrated with Anti-Neurofilament Monoclonal Antibodies

Abstract

INTERMEDIATE filaments are ubiquitous cytoskeletal proteins in mammalian cells. Five classes of intermediate filaments are recognized on the basis of their distinct biochemical properties, and each class is restricted to certain cell types.^{1 , 2} For example, neurofilaments are intermediate filaments that have been observed only in neurons, including neoplastic neuronal cell populations.^{1 2 3} Thus, such cytoskeletal elements have the potential for use as markers for specific cell types in neurobiology and pathology.Esthesioneuroblastomas are rare neoplasms that have sometimes been classified as tumors of amine-precursor uptake and decarboxylation (APUD) or neural-crest origin.^{4 , 5} To evaluate the validity of this histogenetic classification of esthesioneuroblastomas, . . .