Biomaterial Database

Distribution of tenascin, cellular fibronectins and integrins in the normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic breast. 1993

G K Koukoulis, and A A Howeedy, and M Korhonen, and I Virtanen, and V E Gould

Department of Pathology, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois 60612-3864.

We present immunolocalization data on tenascin (Ten), and extradomains A and B (EDA-, EDB-) and oncofetal (Onc-) isoforms of cellular fibronectin (cFn), and alpha 1-6 and alpha v and beta 1-4 integrin subunits on cryosections of normal human breast, the spectrum of fibrocystic disease (FCD), and benign and malignant breast neoplasms. Fetal breast ducts were surrounded by broad Ten bands; adult breast ducts and acini were encompassed by thin continuous rims. In FCD, Ten was detectable and was clearly enhanced around hyperplastic ducts. Fibroadenomas showed uneven Ten periductal reactions while in all carcinomas, the stroma showed extensive and strong reactions that were most intense at the tumors' invasive edge. EDA-cFn's distribution was similar to Ten's but the staining was stronger while EDB- and Onc-cFn were virtually restricted to fetal breasts and carcinomas. In the normal adult breast, alpha 1,2,3 and alpha 6, and B1 and beta 4 integrins were detected in myoepithelial cells; weaker staining was also noted in the basolateral aspect of luminal cells; this profile was retained--and at times enhanced--in FCD, fibroadenomas and in situ carcinomas in which myoepithelial elements were present. In carcinomas, particularly in those of high grade, integrins tended to be reduced. However, mucinous carcinomas showed enhanced expression and the emergence of alpha 5 integrin that was not in the normal repertory; also a subset of infiltrating lobular carcinomas showed prominent alpha 1 and alpha 6 and beta 1 and--rarely--beta 4 staining distributed in delicate cytoplasmic processes (kinetopodia). These data indicate that the complex cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions of the normal breast are slightly altered in hyperplastic processes and benign neoplasms whereas profound chances occur in carcinomas. The latter display enhanced Ten and EDA- and Onc-cFn expression in particular, while most integrins appear decreased. Notably, mucinous and some lobular carcinomas display enhancement of certain integrins. The conspicuous localization of integrins in kinetopodia may be significant in relation to the invasive behavior of lobular carcinomas.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006965	Hyperplasia	An increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ without tumor formation. It differs from HYPERTROPHY, which is an increase in bulk without an increase in the number of cells.	Hyperplasias
D001940	Breast	In humans, one of the paired regions in the anterior portion of the THORAX. The breasts consist of the MAMMARY GLANDS, the SKIN, the MUSCLES, the ADIPOSE TISSUE, and the CONNECTIVE TISSUES.	Breasts
D001943	Breast Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the human BREAST.	Breast Cancer,Breast Tumors,Cancer of Breast,Breast Carcinoma,Cancer of the Breast,Human Mammary Carcinoma,Malignant Neoplasm of Breast,Malignant Tumor of Breast,Mammary Cancer,Mammary Carcinoma, Human,Mammary Neoplasm, Human,Mammary Neoplasms, Human,Neoplasms, Breast,Tumors, Breast,Breast Carcinomas,Breast Malignant Neoplasm,Breast Malignant Neoplasms,Breast Malignant Tumor,Breast Malignant Tumors,Breast Neoplasm,Breast Tumor,Cancer, Breast,Cancer, Mammary,Cancers, Mammary,Carcinoma, Breast,Carcinoma, Human Mammary,Carcinomas, Breast,Carcinomas, Human Mammary,Human Mammary Carcinomas,Human Mammary Neoplasm,Human Mammary Neoplasms,Mammary Cancers,Mammary Carcinomas, Human,Neoplasm, Breast,Neoplasm, Human Mammary,Neoplasms, Human Mammary,Tumor, Breast
D005260	Female		Females
D005353	Fibronectins	Glycoproteins found on the surfaces of cells, particularly in fibrillar structures. The proteins are lost or reduced when these cells undergo viral or chemical transformation. They are highly susceptible to proteolysis and are substrates for activated blood coagulation factor VIII. The forms present in plasma are called cold-insoluble globulins.	Cold-Insoluble Globulins,LETS Proteins,Fibronectin,Opsonic Glycoprotein,Opsonic alpha(2)SB Glycoprotein,alpha 2-Surface Binding Glycoprotein,Cold Insoluble Globulins,Globulins, Cold-Insoluble,Glycoprotein, Opsonic,Proteins, LETS,alpha 2 Surface Binding Glycoprotein
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D015816	Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal	Surface ligands that mediate cell-to-cell adhesion and function in the assembly and interconnection of the vertebrate nervous system. These molecules promote cell adhesion via a homophilic mechanism. These are not to be confused with NEURAL CELL ADHESION MOLECULES, now known to be expressed in a variety of tissues and cell types in addition to nervous tissue.	Axon-Associated Adhesion Molecules,Neuronal Cell Adhesion Molecules,Adhesion Molecules, Axon-Associated,Axon Associated Adhesion Molecules,Molecules, Axon-Associated Adhesion
D016023	Integrins	A family of transmembrane glycoproteins (MEMBRANE GLYCOPROTEINS) consisting of noncovalent heterodimers. They interact with a wide variety of ligands including EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX PROTEINS; COMPLEMENT, and other cells, while their intracellular domains interact with the CYTOSKELETON. The integrins consist of at least three identified families: the cytoadhesin receptors (RECEPTORS, CYTOADHESIN), the leukocyte adhesion receptors (RECEPTORS, LEUKOCYTE ADHESION), and the VERY LATE ANTIGEN RECEPTORS. Each family contains a common beta-subunit (INTEGRIN BETA CHAINS) combined with one or more distinct alpha-subunits (INTEGRIN ALPHA CHAINS). These receptors participate in cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion in many physiologically important processes, including embryological development; HEMOSTASIS; THROMBOSIS; WOUND HEALING; immune and nonimmune defense mechanisms; and oncogenic transformation.	Integrin
D016326	Extracellular Matrix Proteins	Macromolecular organic compounds that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually, sulfur. These macromolecules (proteins) form an intricate meshwork in which cells are embedded to construct tissues. Variations in the relative types of macromolecules and their organization determine the type of extracellular matrix, each adapted to the functional requirements of the tissue. The two main classes of macromolecules that form the extracellular matrix are: glycosaminoglycans, usually linked to proteins (proteoglycans), and fibrous proteins (e.g., COLLAGEN; ELASTIN; FIBRONECTINS; and LAMININ).	Extracellular Matrix Protein,Matrix Protein, Extracellular,Matrix Proteins, Extracellular,Protein, Extracellular Matrix,Proteins, Extracellular Matrix
D019063	Tenascin	Hexameric extracellular matrix glycoprotein transiently expressed in many developing organs and often re-expressed in tumors. It is present in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as in smooth muscle and tendons. (From Kreis & Vale, Guidebook to the Extracellular Matrix and Adhesion Proteins, 1993, p93)	Cytotactin,Hexabrachion,Tenascin-C,J1-200-220,Tenascin C