Can the centrosome be a marker for DNA ploidy in breast cancer?

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The role of DNA ploidy in genomic instability of cancer cells and prognosis has been described in a number of studies. The role of the centrosome in cell cycle has also been reported.

AIM:

In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between the centrosome and DNA ploidy in breast cancer in a search for a cytologic predictive and prognostic marker.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Cell prints were prepared from cell culture of mesothelial cells, fibroblast cell line MRC5 and breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and T47D. Indirect immunofluorescence was used with anti-γ-tubulin and centrosomes were quantified using a fluorescence microscope. DNA ploidy was scored with the DNA index analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS:

The normal mesothelial cells (94% of the cells with one detected centrosome) and MRC5 diploid cells (68% with two centrosomes) were used as quality controls. A correlation between the number of centrosomes and DNA ploidy was found in MCF7 cell lines (64% of the cells with a number of centrosomes ≥ 3). It was not observed in invasive breast cancer samples; however, the frequency of cells with centrosomes ≥ 3 was found to be slightly higher in DNA aneuploid samples than in DNA diploid samples (15% vs 13.3%).

CONCLUSION:

Quantification of centrosome appears to be correlated to DNA ploidy in breast cancer cell lines and slightly associated to DNA aneuploidy in invasive breast cancer. Studies analyzing a larger number of samples as well as morphological abnormalities of the centrosome are needed.

• Authors: Rita A Sakr, Jocelyne Fleury, Claudie Prengel, Jean-Francois Bernaudin, Serge Uzan, Roman Rouzier, Emile Darai
• Journal: Journal of cytology (J Cytol) Vol. 29 Issue 2 Pg. 111-5 (Apr 2012) ISSN: 0974-5165 [Electronic] India
• PMID: 22787290 (Publication Type: Journal Article)