Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ-Associated Myoepithelial Cells.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is contained by myoepithelial cells that are morphologically similar to normal breast tissue myoepithelial cells. However, phenotypic and functional characteristics of DCIS-associated myoepithelial cells are not known. In this study, we aimed to assess the characteristics of DCIS-associated myoepithelial cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Immunophenotypic and functional characteristics of myoepithelial cells of pure DCIS, the DCIS component of infiltrating duct carcinoma (IDC), and the adjacent normal breast tissue of both groups (30 cases in each group) was assessed using phenotypic (CK5/6, CK14, p63, and calponin) and functional markers (maspin and CXCL14).

RESULTS:

There was a decrease in expression of CK14, p63, and calponin in pure DCIS-associated myoepithelial cells compared with normal breast tissue myoepithelial cells (43.3% vs. 80.3%, 3.3% vs. 70%, 46.6 vs. 93.3%, respectively) and in the DCIS component of IDC compared with normal breast tissue myoepithelial cells (56.6% vs. 100%, 3.3% vs. 73.3%, 56.6% vs. 96.6%, respectively). CK5/6 expression was low to absent in myoepithelial cells of pure DCIS and the DCIS component of IDC as well as normal breast tissue myoepithelial cells. Maspin was expressed in all samples of normal breast tissue; however, 20% of pure DCIS and 26.6% of the DCIS component of IDC showed decreased expression. CXCL14 expression was greater in pure DCIS compared with adjacent normal breast tissue and the DCIS component of IDC.

CONCLUSION:

Decreased expression of myoepithelial cell markers in DCIS suggests that DCIS-associated myoepithelial cells are phenotypically different from their normal counterparts. Two or more markers, preferably p63 and calponin, should be used to distinguish in situ from invasive breast carcinomas.

• Authors: Manish Rohilla, Amanjit Bal, Gurpreet Singh, Kusum Joshi
• Journal: Clinical breast cancer (Clin Breast Cancer) Vol. 15 Issue 5 Pg. 335-42 (Oct 2015) ISSN: 1938-0666 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25700939 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Keratin-5
• Keratin-6
• TP63 protein, human
• Transcription Factors
• Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Breast Neoplasms (chemistry, pathology)
• Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast (chemistry, pathology)
• Epithelial Cells (chemistry, pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Immunophenotyping
• Keratin-5 (analysis)
• Keratin-6 (analysis)
• Transcription Factors (analysis)
• Tumor Suppressor Proteins (analysis)