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Biomedical subjects

B Eyden

Publications and source records attributed to B Eyden.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Basement-membrane-related peri-vascular matrices not organised as a basal lamina: distribution in malignant tumours and benign lesions.

Peri-vascular matrices having a finely textured granular substructure have been identified in 27 human lesions: these were mostly malignancies but included benign tumours and reactive processes. The matrices were defined as stromal components surrounding endothelium and pericytes, and lying between vessels and adjacent lesional cells. They were identified as having a finely textured, uniform and moderately dense substructure, and differed from a conventional basal lamina expected at these sites by the absence of the typical lamina densa/lamina lucida configuration. By light microscope immunohistochemistry, vessels stained positively for laminin and collagen IV, two of the main proteins characterising a conventional basal lamina. The present observations emphasise the following. 1) The proteins laminin and collagen IV can be found in peri-vascular locations which have a finely textured granular substructure, and which have clearly defined ultrastructural differences from a conventional basal lamina. 2) While conventional light microscope immunohistochemistry demonstrates the presence and cellular location of proteins, electron microscopy is helpful for giving information on their physical organisation. 3) Peri-vascular granular matrices have a widespread distribution in malignant tumours but also exist in benign tumours and reactive lesions. This paper briefly discusses the possible functions of these matrices as modulators of cell biological processes.

Basement Membrane↗

Electron microscopy in tumour diagnosis: continuing to complement other diagnostic techniques.

The histopathological diagnosis of tumours has been transformed by immunohistochemistry. Used with experience and judgement, a panel of antibodies or antisera, combined when necessary with antigen retrieval, will enable the accurate typing of most problematic tumours. This has led many histopathologists to question whether the electron microscope has any residual utility for tumour diagnosis; the machines are large, costly to purchase and maintain, and will accept only minute samples of tissue. The following articles by Mierau and by Eyden, both strong advocates, comment on the current and future role of electron microscopy in tumour diagnosis.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Myofibrosarcoma of the breast: review of the literature on myofibroblastic tumors and criteria for defining myofibroblastic differentiation.

A case of myofibrosarcoma of the breast is described. A 55-year-old woman presented with a small mammary nodule. A large recurrent lesions appeared a month later, and the patient died 11 months following initial presentation from diffuse pleuropulmonary metastases. Histologically, the primary tumor consisted mainly of spindled cells, arranged in fascicles and surrounded by varying quantities of dense hyaline collagen. The recurrent lesion had a more pleomorphic organization. In both lesions, there was positive immunostaining for vimentin, smooth-muscle actin, and fibronectin, and negative results for desmin, laminin, and type IV collagen. Electron microscopy revealed abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, myofilaments with focal densities, and the fibronexus junctions and fibronectin fibrils characteristic of myofibroblasts. Given these cellular features and behavior, the tumor was interpreted as a malignant neoplasm showing myofibroblastic differentiation, i.e., a myofibrosarcoma. This case enlarges the group of myofibrosarcoma of breast, also with the demonstration of fibronexus and fibronectin fibrils. The paper emphasizes the criteria required for myofibroblastic differentiation and reviews lesions of the breast reported in the literature as myofibroblastic.

Breast Neoplasms↗

The development of a method for the preparation of rat intestinal epithelial cell primary cultures.

We describe a reproducible method for growing small intestinal epithelium (derived from the suckling rat intestine) in short-term (primary) cultures. Optimal culture conditions were determined by quantitative assays of proliferation (i.e. changes in cellularity and DNA synthesis). Isolation of the epithelia and, significantly, preservation of its three-dimensional integrity was achieved using a collagenase/dispase digestion technique. Purification of the epithelium was also facilitated by the use of a simple differential sedimentation method. The results presented below support the idea that proliferation of normal gut epithelium ex vivo is initially dependent upon the maintenance of the structural integrity of this tissue and upon factors produced by heterologous mesenchymal cells. Proliferation in vitro was also critically dependent upon the quality of the medium and constituents used. Cultures reached confluence within 10-14 days and consisted of epithelial colonies together with varying amounts of smooth-muscle-like cells. Cultures have been maintained for periods up to one month, but the longer-term potential for growth by sub-culturing has not been examined. Strategies for reducing the proliferation of these non-epithelial cells are also described.

Animals↗

Ultrastructure of oesophageal melanocytosis.

Four examples of an endoscopically detected oesophageal melanotic lesion were examined by light microscopy, light microscope histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy, and were compared with 13 control samples of normal oesophageal epithelium. By light microscopy, pigmented melanocytes lacking atypia and mitoses were observed amongst the keratinocytes in the basal layer of the oesophageal mucosa. Junctional activity was absent. The mechanism of pigmentation was studied and found to consist of: an increase in the number of melanocytes in the basal layer of the mucosa, an increase in the quantity of melanin in these melanocytes, transfer of melanin from melanocytes to keratinocytes and to macrophages and fibroblasts in the tunica propria. Since all the lesions demonstrated increased numbers of both melanocytes and melanosomes, the term oesophageal melanocytosis rather than melanosis is suggested, to emphasise the essential character of the lesion as a cellular proliferation. The value of sampling these pigmented lesions during endoscopy is emphasised as a means of obtaining well-preserved material for the evaluation of a lesion which some authorities have viewed as a possible precursor for oesophageal malignant melanoma.

Aged↗

Signet ring cell lymphoma: a rare variant of follicular lymphoma.

A case of signet ring cell lymphoma, the eighth in published reports is recorded. This rare tumour is a variant of follicular lymphoma which may be mistaken for metastatic carcinoma. The case has been studied by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy and confirms that this sub-group has rather uniform characteristics. Observations on the possible origins of the vacuoles are presented.

Humans↗

The myofibroblast: an assessment of controversial issues and a definition useful in diagnosis and research.

Some interpretational problems associated with the myofibroblast, which affect how this cell is identified, are discussed. Questions addressed include distinguishing between "external" lamina ("basement membrane") and the fibronectin fibril of the fibronexus; the nature of stress fibers (bundles of smooth-muscle myofilaments with focal densities); the utility of some of these features to distinguish between myofibroblastic and smooth-muscle cell surfaces; and cytoskeletal immunophenotype. The following points are emphasized. Myofibroblasts have a surface characterized by prominent fibronectin fibrils and fibronexus junctions, which are distinct from lamina ("basement membrane"). This can permit a distinction to be made between smooth-muscle and myofibroblastic lesions and tumors. Myofibroblasts are typically positive for vimentin and alpha-smooth-muscle actin, but desmin is not a useful discriminant between smooth-muscle and myofibroblastic lesions. The main features for defining the myofibroblast are abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum; modestly developed peripheral myofilaments with focal densities (stress fibers); fibronexus junctions; vimentin and smooth-muscle actin immunostaining. Other features include a Golgi apparatus and collagen secretion granules, gap junctions, and actin-associated nondesmosomal junctions. Illustrations of the usefulness of these criteria in the diagnosis of soft-tissue lesions (myofibrosarcoma, so-called myofibroblastoma) are given.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Primary smooth muscle tumor of the pleura: a clinicopathological case report with ultrastructural observations and a review of the literature.

Primary smooth muscle tumor of the pleura is exceptionally rare. The authors describe a primary smooth muscle tumor of the pleura that was discovered incidentally on chest X-ray in a 73-year-old man. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a 12 x 18 x 15-cm pleura-based mass arising from the posterior mediastinum. Computerized tomography (CT) guided needle cores from the pleura showed a primary smooth muscle tumor of undetermined malignant potential. Further excision of the whole tumor showed an intimate relation to pleura, and the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma was made. The clinical, radiological, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastuctural findings were consistent with a primary smooth muscle tumor of the pleura. This is the seventh case in the literature of a primary smooth muscle tumor of the pleura, which, to the best of the authors' knowledge, is the first such case of the pleura to be diagnosed on CT-guided needle biopsy. In conclusion, this method of investigation is recommended since it is minimally invasive but has a rewarding yield in providing the most likely diagnosis, predicting prognosis, and management planning.

Aged↗