Hemangioblastoma of the central nervous system: nature of the stromal cells as studied by the immunoperoxidase technique.

Ten hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system were examined by an immunoperoxidase technique for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S-100 protein, and Factor VIII-related antigen to determine the origin of the stromal cells. In seven cases scattered stromal cells were positive for GFAP, and eight cases showed variable numbers of S-100 protein-positive cells. These positive cells were present throughout the tumors. S-100 protein-positive stromal cells corresponded to GFAP-positive cells, but the former were more numerous than the latter. Staining for Factor VIII-related antigen was negative in stromal cells, except in endothelial cells lining capillaries. It was suggested that stromal cells of capillary hemangioblastomas are composed by heterogeneous cell populations.