Lectin histochemistry, ploidy level and proliferation indices in meningioma subtypes.

The glycohistochemical expression of binding sites for eight lectins is characterized in a series of 15 meningothelial, 10 fibroblastic and 15 transitional meningiomas. The correlation between lectin staining and either the proliferation index or ploidy level has also been investigated. The data show that the cytochemical binding of some lectins is of value in distinguishing between the different meningioma subgroups. For example, fibroblastic meningiomas express significantly higher amounts of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA-I) than the meningothelial sub-type. Diploid tumours express a higher glycine maximus (SBA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA) and Phaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin (PHA-L) binding than aneuploid tumours. These differences are probably due to the modification of post-transcriptional glycosylation events linked to tumour ageing. The data also reveal that the increased binding of PHA-L is inversely correlated with the proliferation indices of the tumours.