Monoclonal antibodies to cytoskeletal proteins: An immunohistochemical investigation of human colon cancer

Monoclonal antibodies raised to a number of microfilament‐associated proteins were shown to recognize the appropriate proteins in extracts from human colon tissue. They were then used in an immunohistochemical study of normal colonic mucosa, adenomas, and adenocarcinomas. A strong reaction was seen in stromal cells within the tumours (both adenomas and adenocarcinomas) when frozen sections were stained with antibodies to filamin and caldesmon. In addition, a similar reaction was seen in the adenocarcinomas when stained with antibodies to talin and gelsolin. We believe that immunohistochemical staining with these antibodies reveals a tumour‐induced process in the surrounding cells, possibly related to a host response to tumours.