Immunohistochemical demonstration of S-100 protein in fibroblast-like cells of the guinea-pig heart.

The immunocytochemical localization of S-100 protein was examined in the hearts of adult guinea-pigs. In addition to Schwann cells, adipose cells and chondrocytes, fibroblast-like cells densely distributed in the cardiac skeleton, all of the four valves and tendinous chordae were immunoreactive for S-100 protein. The S-100-positive fibroblast-like cells were conspicuously rounded in shape and extended their thin, thread-like cell processes in opposite directions; the cytoplasm was restricted to perinuclear region. In these morphological features, the cells were distinctly different from ordinary fibroblasts which were immunonegative for S-100 protein. Electron microscopic observation revealed that the S-100-like immunoreactivity was distributed throughout the cytoplasmic matrix in the cell body and processes, but absent from the nuclei and cell organelles. The significance of the S-100 immunopositive fibroblast-like cells was discussed in relation to cartilaginous tissues, which have the potential to form in the region of the cardiac skeleton and valves under both normal and abnormal conditions.