Asymmetric crypt fission in sessile serrated lesions

Sessile serrated lesions without dysplasia (SSL-ND) are epitomised by dilated crypts with epithelial serrations and architectural distortions portraying boot-shapes, L-shapes or inverted-T shapes. Recently, crypts in asymmetric fission were detected in SSL-ND. The purpose was to assess the frequency of crypts in asymmetric fission in a cohort of SSL-ND.

The frequency of crypts in fission was assessed in 60 SSL-ND, the distribution of cell proliferation in 48 SSL-ND and the expression of maspin, a tumour-suppressor protein, in 29 SSL-ND.

Out of the 60 SSL-ND, 40 (66.7%) showed crypts in fission: 39 (65%) SSL-ND had crypts in asymmetric fission and one SSL-ND (1.7%), in symmetric fission (p<0.05). Of 1495 crypts recorded in the 60 SSL-ND, 73 (4.9%) were in asymmetric fission but only one (0.06%), in symmetric fission (p<0.05). Out of the 48 Ki67-immunostained SSL-ND,15 (31%) showed randomly distributed proliferating cell-domains. All 29 SSL-ND revealed maspin-upregulation (including crypts in asymmetric and symmetric fission). In contrast, the normal colon mucosa showed occasional single crypts in symmetric fission, proliferating cell-domains limited to the lower thirds of the crypts, absence of crypts in asymmetric fission and remained maspin negative.

SSL-ND thrive with crypts in asymmetric fission displaying randomly distributed proliferating cell-domains and maspin-upregulation. These histo-biological aberrations disclose pathological cryptogenesis and suggest possibly unfolding somatic mutations in SSL-ND. The present findings may open new vistas on the parameters pertinent to the susceptibility of SSL-ND to develop dysplasia and carcinoma.