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Immunohistochemical study in breast carcinoma. S100-protein positive cells and neuroendocrine differentiation
A Zółtowska1, G Moszkowska, B Zamorska
1Department of Immunopathology, Medical Academy, Gdańsk, Poland.
Insights
S100-protein positive cells, identified as interdigitating cells (IDC), are present in benign breast changes and carcinomas. Their distribution and potential S100-protein transfer to cancer cells in carcinomas are notable findings.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- S100-protein positive cells, specifically interdigitating cells (IDC), are found in benign breast lesions.
- The distribution and characteristics of these cells in breast carcinomas require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of S100-protein positive cells in benign breast changes and breast carcinomas.
- To explore the expression of chromogranin A (ChgA), synaptophysin (Syn), and smooth muscle actin (SMA) in these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect S100-protein, ChgA, Syn, and SMA.
- Analysis of 12 cases of benign dysplastic changes and 53 cases of breast carcinomas.
Main Results:
- S100-protein positive IDC were found in all benign and malignant breast lesions.
- In carcinomas, S100-protein positive IDC showed varied distribution patterns, including association with cancer cells, suggesting potential antigenic modulation or fusion.
- ChgA and Syn immunoreactivity was observed in epithelial cells of benign lesions and in various cell types, including carcinoma cells, in malignant lesions.
- SMA immunoreactivity was noted in endothelial, smooth muscle, and myoepithelial cells, with sporadic presence in carcinoma cells.
Conclusions:
- S100-protein positive IDC are consistently present in benign and malignant breast tissues.
- The altered distribution and potential S100-protein transfer in breast carcinomas warrant further research into cancer cell biology.
- Expression patterns of ChgA, Syn, and SMA provide insights into cellular differentiation and potential abnormalities in breast carcinomas.
Abstract:
In this study S100-protein positive cells were found in all 12 cases of benign dysplastic changes and in all of the investigated 53 cases of breast carcinomas. These cells belong to interdigitating cells (IDC) and were located in a regular pattern in the basal cell layer of the ducts and alveolar nodules in benign lesions. However, in breast carcinomas S100-protein positive IDC were in various pattern of distribution; only in the stroma, in basal cell layer, between cancer cells and S100-protein positivity of IDC and epithelial cancer cells. This phenomenon suggests the antigenic modulation of cancer cells transferring them the property of S100-protein positive cells or it may be the consequence of fusion. Immunoreactivity for chromogranin A (ChgA) and synaptophysin (Syn) was found in epithelial cells in some cases of benign dysplastic changes. However, in some carcinoma cases ChgA and Syn were revealed in carcinoma cells, in myoepithelial cells, in some stromal mesenchymal cells and endothelial cells. Immunoreactivity to smooth muscle actin was shown in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the vessel's wall, in myoepithelial cells and was also sporadic in carcinoma cells.
