The expression of sialylated molecules in parafollicular-cell hyperplasia of the canine thyroid gland

Abstract

During the 18-year period (19741991), the lymphocytic thyroiditis with the finding of serum autoantibodies against thyroglobulin was diagnosed in 180 Beagle dogs (92 males and 88 females). In 107 of them (56 males and 51 females), hyperplasia of parafollicular cells was concurrently encountered. In further 11 cases (3 males and 8 females), solid cellular structures were found in the thyroid parenchyma, in 4 females combined with unilocular or multilocular lymphoepithelial cysts. Grimelius stain revealed the presence of parafollicular cells even at the periphery of cellular nests. Using the lectin histochemistry with Maackia amurensis agglutinin (MAA), Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) and Tritrichomonas mobilensis lectin (TML), the presence of sialylated molecules was demonstrated in the cell membranes and perinuclear cytoplasmic regions of parafollicular cells that formed hyperplastic nodules or were interspersed in solid cell nests.