Mammary foam cells |
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Authors: | Stefania Damiani Maria Grazia Cattani Laura Buonamici V Eusebi |
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Institution: | (1) Section of Anatomic and Cytopathology ”M.Malpighi” of the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, IT;(2) Service of Anatomical Pathology and Cytopathology, Ospedale Maggiore, Bologna, Italy, IT |
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Abstract: | Cells showing abundant, finely vacuolized cytoplasm (foam cells) are found frequently in most benign lesions of the breast
and in certain malignant breast tumours. The origin of mammary foam cells (FCs) has not been clarified, and we therefore studied
the morphological features of mammary FCs in a series of 50 benign lesions. The FCs were subdivided, on the basis of their
distribution into FCs lining the glandular lumina, intraluminal FCs, intraepithelial-pagetoid FCs, and stromal FCs. The lesions
were tested with a panel of antibodies against macrophage (MAC 387, CD68) and epithelial (epithelial membrane antigen EMA],
gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 GCDFP15] and cytokeratin) markers. The lesions were examined for the presence of PIP/GCDFP15-specific
mRNA by an in situ hybridization technique. Three different types of FCs were identified. Type A FCs are epithelial cells
(positivity with EMA and cytokeratin) and show apocrine differentiation (positivity with GCDFP15 antiserum and expression
of PIP/GCDFP15 mRNA). Type B FCs are of macrophage origin, as they are positive with the macrophage markers and lack cytokeratin
and PIP/GCDFP15 mRNA. Finally, type C FCs show an intermediate profile between an epithelial cell and a macrophage: they are
both CD68 and GCDFP15 positive and show a thin peripheral rim of positivity with anti-cytokeratin antibody. They lack PIP/GCDFP15
mRNA. Our results indicate the possibility of a spectrum of phenotypes in mammary FCs, from epithelial-apocrine cells to macrophage-derived
phagocytic cells.
Received: 19 September 1997 / Accepted: 29 December 1997 |
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Keywords: | Breast Foam cells Immunohistochemistry GCDFP15-PIP gene |
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