IMMUNOMORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE EXTRACELLULAR-MATRIX IN NEUROFIBROMA AND BENIGN SCHWANNOMA

The distribution of type I, III, IV and V collagen and fibronectin in schwannomas and neurofibromas showed the similarity in the extracellular matrix structure of both tumours. Both the components of the interstitial connective tissue (collagen of I, III, V types and fibronectin) and component of basal membrane (the IV type collagen) are found in the fibrillar matrix of these two tumours. It is shown for the first time that matrix of rhythmical structures of schwannoma contains the collagen of type IV and fibronectin while the interstitial collagen of types I, III and V is absent. The application of the results obtained for the differential diagnosis of fibrous and neurogenic tumours is discussed.