[Clear and pale cells of the nipple epidermis: a critical study of their varieties]
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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Building Up Skin Models for Numerous Applications - from Two-Dimensional (2D) Monoculture to Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiculture
Published on: October 20, 2023
1Real Academia de Medicina de Cantabria.
Abstract:
The stratified squamous epithelium of the nipple-areola complex may contain pale cells including: Paget's disease cells (PDCs), Toker cells (TCs), and so-called clear cells (CCs). PDCs are atypical, commonly concentrated along the basal layer. They stain for EMA, CAM5.2, cytokeratin 7, and HER2/neu oncoprotein. TCs are bland cells with roundish and scant-chromatin nuclei. TCs are reactive for EMA, CAM5.2, and cytokeratin 7, but show negativity for HER2/ neu oncoprotein. The majority of cells that have been called epidermal CCs fit the features of pagetoid dyskeratosis, reactive for high molecular weight cytokeratin. Other CCs showing signet-ring morphology correspond to a fixation artefact.
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