PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Keratin-7”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Marker profile of mesothelial cells versus ovarian carcinoma cells.

We investigated the marker profile of human ascitic and cultured mesothelial cells, and compared it to that of ovarian carcinoma cells which are related in terms of their histogenesis, unrelated colon carcinomas being used as reference. Mesothelial and ovarian carcinoma cells could not be distinguished by (intermediate) filament typing, using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to keratins, vimentins and desmins. Colon carcinomas differed from mesothelial cells and ovarian carcinomas by the absence of keratin-7 filaments. The epithelial marker BW 495/36 was completely negative on mesothelial cells and positive on all ovarian and colon carcinoma cells. While CEA was found on about 85% of all colon carcinomas, CEA expression on mesothelial cells and ovarian carcinoma cells was below 20%. The ovarian carcinoma markers (OV-TL 3, OV-TL 10, OC 125, MOV 18) were strongly positive on ovarian carcinomas and negative on colon carcinomas (or limited to traces of immunofluorescence on some samples). Although the mesothelial cells showed weak or negative reactivity with these markers, OC 125 antigen was found by immunoelectron microscopy on the surface of cultured mesothelial cells, and was shed in the culture supernatant at concentrations of 50, 28, and 25 CA 125 U/ml/10(4) positive cells. This suggests that mesothelial cells may be responsible for the synthesis of CA 125 in ascitic fluid. The data indicate that ovarian carcinomas, mesothelial cells and colon carcinomas can be distinguished using a combination of anti-keratin antibodies with BW 495/36 and anti-ovarian carcinoma markers.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Adenocarcinomas metastatic to the liver: the value of cytokeratins 20 and 7 in the search for unknown primary tumors.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic adenocarcinoma in the liver with an unidentified primary tumor site is a common clinical problem. Pathologists often are asked to identify the primary tumor site. The histologic picture itself usually is not helpful, because the histology may be similar in the metastases of tumors with different primary localizations. Immunohistochemistry can be helpful, but the previously recommended antibody panels are too complicated for everyday use. METHODS: A simple immunohistochemical algorithm with two monoclonal cytokeratin (CK) antibodies, CK20 and CK7, was tested on 93 autopsy cases of adenocarcinomas metastatic to the liver. Sections of the liver metastases were stained automatically and evaluated as negative (no staining), focally positive, or diffusely positive. Statistical comparison of the staining results for a single antibody was calculated as an odds ratio. RESULTS: Thirty-six of 93 (39%) metastases proved to be CK20 positive (+). In this group, the CK20+/CK7 negative (-) pattern was highly characteristic for colorectal localization of the primary tumor, having been observed 17 of 21 of the cases (81%). The CK20+/CK7+ pattern of the metastatic liver adenocarcinomas was highly suggestive of primary localization in the pancreas or biliary tract (11 of 14 cases; 79%). Exclusion of the tumors originating in the stomach raised these values to 94% and 92%, respectively. The statistically calculated predicted probability of primary tumor site being in the colon or rectum for CK20+/CK7- metastasis was 78,41%, the probability of a primary tumor being located in the pancreas or biliary tract was 74,85%, if calculated for the whole study group. CONCLUSIONS: The tested simple algorithm proved to be useful in CK20 positive (+) cases, predicting a primary tumor localization in the colon, rectum, pancreas, or biliary tract with high accuracy. The CK20- group was too heterogeneous to be classified adequately by these two antibodies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Can keratin 8 and 17 immunohistochemistry be of diagnostic value in cervical cytology? A feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Based on results from evaluation of tissue sections from premalignant lesions of the uterine cervix, the authors examined the hypothesis that immunostaining of Papanicolaou-stained cytologic smears with monoclonal antibodies to keratins 8 and 17 allows detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with progressive potential. They also investigated whether detection of these two keratin subtypes could be of help in the analysis of normal and/or poor quality cytology smears. METHODS: Sixty-one Papanicolaou-stained smears, representing 25 normal smears, 8 CIN 1, 7 CIN 2, 18 CIN 3, and 3 cervical carcinomas, were stained with CAM 5.2 and E3, which are capable of detecting keratin 8 and 17, respectively. The percentages of immunoreactive normal, metaplastic, dysplastic, and malignant epithelial cells were determined. RESULTS: In normal cervical smears, keratin 8 was detected in endocervical columnar cells and sporadically in immature squamous metaplastic cells. Keratin 17 was identified in reserve cells and frequently in immature squamous metaplasic cells. In CIN, the number of cases in which keratin 8 was present increased with the severity of the lesion. Keratin 17 was found in the majority of CIN lesions, irrespective of grade. Intensity of immunostaining and number of cells stained per lesion varied and were also not related to the severity of CIN. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the keratin 8 antibody in normal cervical smears enabled the detection of endocervical cells in cases where they were thought to be absent, particularly in cases with severe inflammation. Staining with keratin 17 enabled the identification of reserve cells or immature metaplastic cells, which were often misinterpreted as parabasal cells. The application of antibodies to these subtypes of keratins in cervical cytology can to a certain extent help in the identification of CIN and may in future be tested in automated screening.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Needle aspiration cytology of metastatic high-grade transitional-cell carcinomas of the urinary tract.

We reviewed 4 cases of high-grade transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary tract with solitary pulmonary metastases that were studied by transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy cytology. There were two grade II and two grade III TCCs. The two grade II tumors yielded, in needle aspirates, syncytial tumor-cell clusters showing ill-defined, granular cytoplasm and slightly pleomorphic nuclei with inconspicuous nucleoli. In one case the tumor-cell cluster showed a focal acinar arrangement, mimicking cells of an adenocarcinoma. In both cases the electron microscopy (EM) study of aspirated tumor cells revealed epithelial cells with well-formed cell junctions, intracytoplasmic vesicles, apical short microvilli, and focal interdigitation of lateral cell membranes, suggesting a urothelial neoplasm. The two grade III TCCs yielded, in needle aspirates, pleomorphic malignant cells singly and in small clusters, showing well-defined, granular cytoplasm and pleomorphic nuclei containing prominent nucleoli, suggesting a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma or an anaplastic large-cell carcinoma. By EM examination the aspirated tumor cells from one case revealed well-formed cell junctions, intracytoplasmic vesicles, poorly formed microvilli, and focal interdigitation of lateral cell membranes, suggesting a urothelial differentiation. In the other case the tumor cells were pleomorphic cells with occasional cell junctions and no ultrastructural features as seen in the other 3 cases of TCC. The tumor cells from the two grade II TCCs showed strong immunopositive reaction with keratin 7 antibody and weakly positive reaction with carcinoembryonic antigen antibody (CEAA), while those of the two grade III TCCs displayed only a weak and focal immunopositive staining with keratin 7 antibody and strong reaction with CEAA.

Aged↗

Utility of cytokeratin 7 and 20 subset analysis as an aid in the identification of primary site of origin of malignancy in cytologic specimens.

This study was undertaken to assess the utility of combined cytokeratin (CK) 7/20 immunoprofile determination in malignant cytologic cell blocks as an aid to the identification of tumor primary site of origin. Fifty-one cases in which CK 7/20 immunocytochemistry was performed as part of the initial workup were retrieved. Their contribution to the final cytologic diagnosis of tumor primary site of origin was analyzed. CK reactivity patterns were 7+/20- (n = 34), 7-/20+ (n = 9), 7-/20- (n = 7), and 7+/20+ (n = 1). The CK 7+/CK 20- immunophenotype was the most common one obtained, and due to its wide expression in a number of common carcinomas, the least informative. The second most common immunophenotype was CK 7-/20+, which is associated with colorectal origin, and as such was very useful when obtained. The CK immunoprofile was more useful in the setting of a prior carcinoma, being a major diagnostic determinant in 13 cases (55%) from group 1 (those with a prior history of malignancy), compared to 8 cases (29%) from group 2 (those with no prior history of malignancy). In the setting of prior carcinoma, the CK immunoprofile is most useful when carcinomas under consideration have different expected immunoprofiles (e.g., CK 7+/CK20- carcinomas, including lung, breast, ovary, endometrium, and others, vs. CK 7-/CK 20+ carcinomas, primarily colorectal). When similar immunoprofiles are obtained, their usefulness is greater if they are immunoprofiles other than the most common 7+/20- pattern. Similarly, in newly diagnosed carcinomas, the CK immunoprofile either helps to narrow the differential diagnosis or points to a specific diagnosis.

Biomarkers↗

Anal gland carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Anal gland carcinoma is a rare entity. The authors conducted a joint study of cases coded as definite or possible anal gland carcinoma from the archives of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and the Canadian Reference Center for Cancer Pathology. METHODS: Seven cases of potential anal gland carcinoma were identified from the Canadian files and 12 from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology archives. Of these 19 cases, 14 had adequate material to allow clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Seven of these 14 cases met a modified World Health Organization (WHO) definition of anal gland carcinoma. The mean age of these patients was 66 years (range, 60-72 years), with a male-to-female ratio of 6:1. The tumors were composed of haphazardly dispersed, small glands with scant mucin production that invaded the wall of the anorectal area with no obvious intraluminal component observed clinically or microscopically. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on all seven of these cases, revealing cytokeratin (CK) 7+/CK 20- expression in six cases, and CK 7+/CK 20+ expression in one case. The remaining seven cases showed no intraluminal component but did not meet a modified WHO definition of anal gland carcinoma. This group included three mucinous adenocarcinomas (two clinically arising in anal fistulas), all of which were CK 7+/CK 20+, and a rectal-type adenocarcinoma that was CK 7-/CK 20+. There was also a tumor interpreted as probable rectal-type adenocarcinoma that was CK 7+/CK 20+, and a tumor interpreted as probable squamous cell carcinoma that was CK 7-/CK 20-. The seventh tumor in this group, which could not be classified, was CK 7+/CK 20-. CONCLUSIONS: A useful and discriminating definition of anal gland carcinoma is an anal canal tumor composed of haphazardly dispersed, small glands with scant mucin production invading the wall of the anorectal area without an intraluminal component. The glands are positive for CK 7.

Aged↗

The value of cytokeratins 20 and 7 in discriminating metastatic adenocarcinomas from pleural mesotheliomas.

BACKGROUND: Immunohistochemistry is a useful method in the differential diagnosis between pleural mesotheliomas and metastatic adenocarcinomas to the pleura. Cytokeratin (CK) 5-6 is one of the most specific mesothelioma-associated antibodies. Cytokeratin 20 and CK7 have been used successfully in studies determining primary location of adenocarcinomas from metastases. In the current study, the value of these CKs in differential diagnosis of malignant pleural lesions was examined. METHODS: Ninety-three autopsy-verified cases (14 mesotheliomas and 79 adenocarcinomas including 42 primary lung tumors and 37 adenocarcinomas metastatic to the pleura) were stained on CK20, CK7, and CK5-6 with commercially available primary antibodies. The staining was conducted in an automated immunohistochemical system. The results were analyzed statistically at different positivity thresholds: 10% and 0%. RESULTS: None of the mesotheliomas stained positively for CK20 at the 10% positivity level, but 3 cases showed focal positivity in < 10% of the tumor cells. Eighty-six percent (12 of 14) of these tumors were CK7+ and 64% (9 of 14) were CK5-6+. None of the mesotheliomas expressed the CK20+/7- pattern. Lung adenocarcinomas, both primary and metastatic, and breast carcinomas were very similar to mesotheliomas with regard to expression of CK20 and CK7 but differed significantly with regard to expression of CK5-6. Conversely, gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas and pancreaticobiliary tumors expressed CK20 positivity in a high proportion, 86% (13 of 15) and 77% (7 of 9), respectively. The gastrointestinal tumors stained positively for CK7 in only 20% (3 of 15) of cases and differed significantly from the other adenocarcinomas in this aspect. The CK20+/7- pattern was typical for gastrointestinal tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Adding CK20 and CK7 to the panel of antibodies in the differential diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma versus metastatic adenocarcinomas is useful because diffuse CK20 positivity seems to be an indicator of metastasis. Furthermore, CK7 negativity most often is associated with metastases, and the CK20+/7- pattern, typical of colorectal adenocarcinomas, is absent in pleural mesotheliomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Molecular interaction between human tumor marker protein p150, the largest subunit of eIF3, and intermediate filament protein K7.

The human tumor marker protein p150 was identified as the largest subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) (also known as p170/p180). Its expression level is not only upregulated in many transformed cell lines, but also in several human cancers including breast, cervical, esophageal, and stomach carcinomas. The function of p150 in cancer and initiation of translation are not well understood. Using the yeast two-hybrid genetic screen, we found that a portion of p150 interacts with hPrt1, another subunit of eIF3, and cytokeratin 7, an intermediate filament protein. The interactions between p150 and hPrt1, and between p150 and cytokeratin 7 were verified both in vivo and in vitro. The interaction site for hPrt1 was mapped to the carboxyl half of the coiled-coil region of the p150 protein between amino acids 664-835. The expression of hPrt1 was clearly upregulated in cancer tissue, similarly to that of p150. By contrast, no substantial difference in the expression level of cytokeratin 7 was observed between cancer and normal breast tissue, suggesting that cytokeratin 7 expression is not co-regulated with p150. Taken together, our studies suggest a new role for p150 in translation initiation, possibly by acting as an adapter molecule between the translation initiation apparatus and the cytoskeleton structure in the cell.

Binding Sites↗

Use of thyroid transcription factor 1, PE-10, and cytokeratins 7 and 20 in discriminating between primary lung carcinomas and metastatic lesions in fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens.

BACKGROUND: The distinction of a primary lung carcinoma from a metastatic lesion is important, because the treatment and prognosis differ for patients with these malignancies. Such a distinction can be difficult because of overlapping cytologic features. It has been shown that antibodies to thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) and PE-10 are fairly specific markers for primary lung tumors in histologic specimens. TTF-1 regulates the expression of surfactant protein production, and PE-10 is a monoclonal antibody against components of human surfactant proteins. The combination of cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and cytokeratin 20 (CK20) immunoprofiling has been helpful in the identification of the primary site of origin of lung tumors. METHODS: In the current study, the authors evaluated the utility of TTF-1 and PE-10 immunostaining and also compared the staining with expression of CK7 and CK20 in the discrimination between primary lung tumors and metastatic lesions in 55 specimens from fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of the lung. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded cell blocks from 35 primary lung tumors (16 adenocarcinomas, 8 squamous cell carcinomas, 6 large cell undifferentiated carcinomas, and 5 small cell carcinomas) and 20 metastatic carcinomas (6 breast lesions, 6 colon lesions, 3 urinary bladder lesions, 2 kidney lesions, 1 biliary tract lesion, 1 endometrial lesion, and 1 thyroid lesion) were immunostained with monoclonal antibodies to TTF-1, PE-10, CK7, and CK 20. Positive immunostaining for CK7, CK20, and PE-10 was based on cytoplasmic staining, whereas TTF-1 positive staining was based on nuclear staining of the neoplastic cells. RESULTS: Positive immunostaining with TTF-1 and PE-10 was noted in six primary lung tumors (17%). One metastatic lesion (5%) and two metastatic lesions (10%) were positive for TTF-1 and PE-10, respectively. The CK7 positive/CK20 negative immunophenotype was noted in 30 primary lung tumors (86%) and in 11 metastatic lesions (55%). The CK7 negative/CK20 negative immunophenotype was seen in four metastatic lesions and in the remaining five primary lung tumors. The CK7 negative/CK20 positive and CK7 positive/CK20 positive immunophenotypes were seen in two and three metastatic lesions, respectively, but in none of the primary lung tumors. When a CK7 positive/CK20 negative adenocarcinoma also demonstrated either TTF-1 positive or PE-10 positive staining, it was likely that the adenocarcinoma was of pulmonary origin (P < 0.035; Fisher exact test). The specificity of such a combination for discriminating between primary and metastatic adenocarcinomas was 94%. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that TTF-1, PE-10, or CK7/CK20 alone did not distinguish reliably between primary pulmonary tumors carcinomas and metastatic neoplasms of the lung in FNA biopsy specimens because of low sensitivity and specificity. The use of a panel of antibodies that includes CK7/CK20, TTF-1, and PE-10 may be helpful in discriminating between primary and metastatic adenocarcinomas of the lung. An adenocarcinoma is likely a primary lung tumor when it is of the CK7 positive/CK20 negative phenotype and demonstrates either TTF-1 positive or PE-10 positive staining.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Utility of CK7 and CK20 immunohistochemistry in the detection of synchronous breast and colon carcinoma in a pleural effusion: a case report and supporting survey of archival material.

We present a case of synchronous breast and colon carcinoma in a pleural effusion, to our knowledge the first such reported case in the English-language literature. The patient was a 55-yr-old white female with known metastatic breast and colon carcinoma who developed a malignant pleural effusion which demonstrated two strikingly different populations of malignant cells by immunohistochemical study of cell block material. One cell population demonstrated a cytokeratin (CK)7+/CK20-/ER+ phenotype, while the other demonstrated a CK7-/CK20+/ER- phenotype, consistent with breast and colon origin, respectively. An immunohistochemical survey of archival breast and colon primary and metastatic carcinomas confirmed the established CK7+/CK20- phenotype of breast and CK7-/CK20+ phenotype of colon primary carcinomas, and the maintenance of this phenotype in metastases thereof. A survey of benign and malignant mesothelial lesions confirmed the absence of staining for estrogen receptor, but showed 6/10 cases weakly positive for CK20, which has not been described in other published series. This unusual case graphically illustrates the utility of cytokeratin subset immunohistochemistry in effusion cytology.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Jejunal adenocarcinoma presenting as a primary ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case report was to evaluate the impact of immunohistochemical markers in diagnosing the primary site of adenocarcinoma in the abdominopelvic region. METHODS: Surgicopathologic data were obtained from laparotomy and necropsy. Paraffin-embedded tissue from the ovary and jejunum was stained with hematoxylin and eosin, as well as with immunohistochemical stains for cytokeratin 20 and cytokeratin 7. RESULTS: A 53-year-old African American woman underwent an emergency laparotomy due to small bowel obstruction. During the operation, in addition to a complex adnexal mass as the cause of obstruction, a small solid jejunal tumor was also identified. Pathologic evaluation of the two sites demonstrated an infiltrating moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with mucinous features. The malignant cells from both intestinal and ovarian sites showed immunoreactivity for cytokeratin 20 and revealed negative staining for cytokeratin 7. These results confirmed the diagnosis of intestinal primary with ovarian metastasis, which was initially misdiagnosed as an ovarian primary. CONCLUSION: Given the potential difficulty in determining the primary site of these tumors, immunohistochemistry proved to be a useful tool in reaching the correct diagnosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Female urethral adenocarcinoma arising from urethritis glandularis.

INTRODUCTION: Female urethral adenocarcinoma is extremely rare and more than one tissue of origin has been suggested other than the Skene's gland. Immunohistochemistry with cytokeratins (CK) 7 and 20 is used to define the origin of the tumor. CASE REPORT: A 72-year-old woman presented with a 2-cm polypoid tumor at the external urethral meatus and bleeding. Wide local excision and bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy were performed. Postoperative convalescence was uneventful. It was a poorly differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma without direct urothelial involvement. There were focal areas of intestinal metaplasia. The tumor cells were positive for CK 7 and 20 and negative for prostate-specific antigen. DISCUSSION: This case provides supportive evidence that mucinous urethral adenocarcinoma may arise from malignant transformation of urethritis glandularis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A method for culturing and transplanting biliary epithelial cell from syrian golden hamster.

The present paper describes the establishment of a method for simultaneous culturing of biliary epithelial cells (BECs) from the gall bladder (GB), extrahepatic bile duct (EBD) and intrahepatic bile duct (IBD) of the hamster. GB, EBD and IBD were cut from the biliary tree after collagenase perfusion of the liver. These biliary segments were minced into fragments. The fragments were embedded in collagen gel and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium/HamF12 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. The various cells subsequently spread from the fragments and formed cellular sheets. After the fragments and flattened cells were removed with the aid of a Pasteur pipette under phase-contrast microscopy, the sheets remaining were found to be composed of cuboidal cells. These cuboidal cells were shown to express gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and cytokeratin 7, which are known to be specific markers of BECs. Ultrastructurally, a large number of microvilli were observed on the luminal surface and junctional complex and interdigitation was identifiable on the lateral surfaces. BEC cultures were subcultured by digestion with collagenase and dispase and then dissociated by subsequent digestion in trypsin and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and then maintained on collagen gel for up to 8 weeks. After several passages, the BECs in culture eventually increased in size and showed vacuoles in the cytoplasm. They demonstrated irreversible growth arrest at 9 weeks. The BECs tended to form cystic structures when the BECs with collagen gel were transplanted into the interscapular fat pads of syngeneic hamsters. We established a method for culturing and transplanting biliary cells from syrian golden hamsters. This method may help to clarify the mechanism of hepatobiliary diseases.

Adipose Tissue↗

Modulation of rat pancreatic acinoductal transdifferentiation and expression of PDX-1 in vitro.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: In adult pancreatic regeneration models exocrine acini are found to transdifferentiate to duct-like complexes. This has also been associated with the formation of new endocrine islet cells. We aimed to establish an in vitro model in which this transdifferentiation process is characterised and can be modulated. METHODS: Purified rat pancreatic acini were cultured in suspension. Differentiation was analysed by immunocytochemistry, electron microscopy, western blotting and RT-PCR. RESULTS: During culture acinar cells directly transdifferentiated without dividing, the cells lost their acinar phenotype and started to express cytokeratins 20 and 7 and fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk-1) receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor. Expression of the acinar pancreatic exocrine transcription factor (PTF-1) remained and the pancreatic duodenal homeobox-containing transcription factor (PDX-1) was induced. When transdifferentiation was completed, the cells started to express protein gene product 9.5, a panneuroendocrine marker. By combining these features, the transdifferentiated cells show similar characteristics to precursor cells during active beta-cell neogenesis. We were able to modulate the differentiation state by addition of nicotinamide or sodium butyrate, agents which are known to stimulate endocrine differentiation in other models. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Here, we present an in vitro system in which the cellular differentiation of putative pancreatic endocrine precursor cells and their PDX-1 expression can be modulated, thereby providing a possible model for the study of beta-cell transdifferentiation.

Animals↗

Cultures of exfoliated epithelial cells from different locations of the human urinary tract and the renal tubular system.

Exfoliated human urinary tract epithelial cells and renal tubular cells from urinary sediments of healthy adults, of urological patients and of internal patients were isolated and cultured. Cells started proliferating within 1 week after seeding a sediment. Proliferating cells formed colonies of different morphologies, designated as type-1 or type-2 cell colonies. Type-1 cell colonies showed irregular contours and spindle-like cells within the colonies. Subcultivation of type-1 cells for up to six passages was possible. Type-2 cell colonies showed smooth-edged contours and subcultivation was not possible. The epithelial character of type-1 cells was demonstrated by positive immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin-7. In contrast to carbonic anhydrase-positive stained Madin Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK), which were used as positive controls for renal tubular cells, type-1 cells were carbonic anhydrase-negative on staining with the cobalt phosphate method. This indicates that type-1 cells were not of renal tubular origin. Type-2 cells were positively stained for carbonic anhydrase, indicating that type-2 cells were renal tubular cells. Type-2 cell colonies could be assigned to two subgroups with different cell forms. Colonies of cobblestone-like cells more often occurred than type-2 cell colonies with spindle-like cells, which are described in this study for the first time. Colonies with cobblestone-like cells formed domes (hemicysts), whereas spindle-like type-2 cell colonies did not. Cultures of urinary sediments from healthy adults, elderly multimorbid patients treated with furosemide, and urological patients with urolithiasis treated with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and/or with a percutaneous nephrostomy catheter were compared. In 52% of all cultured sediments from healthy adults, in 30% of those from multimorbid patients, and in 75-80% of those from urological patients cells proliferated to colonies. The ratios of type-1 to type-2 cell colonies were 3.3:1 (healthy adults), 1.4:1 (urological patients with urolithiasis), and 1.8:1 (urological patients with urolithiasis, urine was directly collected from the renal pelvis with a percutaneous nephrostomy catheter). Successful cultures of the urinary sediments from these three groups revealed means of 3 or 4 colonies, 14 colonies, and 21 colonies, respectively. Differences in the number of colonies in relation to sex were observed only for the group of urological patients. It was shown that type-1 cells were urothelial cells, which did not show morphological differences due to their locations of origin within the urinary tract, whereas type-2 cells were probably renal tubular cells. These findings offer new aspects in the culturing of human urothelial or kidney epithelial cells with a method based on noninvasive collecting of specimens and requiring only minimal culture effort. The cultures obtained by this method can be used for in vitro studies in toxicological and clinical research.

Adolescent↗

Invasive depth of extravillous trophoblast correlates with cellular phenotype: a comparison of intra- and extrauterine implantation sites.

During intrauterine human placentation, extravillous trophoblast invades uterine tissues starting with proliferating stem cells at the basement membrane of anchoring villi. Transition to the postproliferative invasive phenotype takes place several cell layers distant. Here we show that in intrauterine pregnancies invasive trophoblast comprises three cellular phenotypes: a. Small spindle-shaped trophoblast cells are found along the whole invasive pathway throughout pregnancy. They are embedded in little heterogeneous extracellular matrix but expose only fibronectin receptors (integrins alpha5beta1, alphavbeta3/5), resulting in a partial integrin-matrix mismatch. b. Large polygonal trophoblast cells are rare in early pregnancy but increase in number towards term. They secrete ample heterogeneous extracellular matrix and expose integrins specifically matching the opposing matrix molecules (integrins alpha6beta4, alpha5beta1). c. Multinucleated giant cells in all stages of pregnancy form a kind of peripheral shell of trophoblast. In contrast to intrauterine pregnancies, in viable tubal pregnancies, Mib-1 expression indicating proliferation, extends deeply into the invasive pathway. Trophoblast cells of the invasive pathway mostly belong to the small spindle-shaped phenotype and secrete little extracellular matrix, mainly fibronectins. At the transition to the second cellular layer of cell columns expression of integrin alpha6beta4 switches to expression of alpha5beta1 and alphavbeta3/5. Viable tubal pregnancies are characterised by a broad overlap of proliferative with invasive phenotype as well as a general integrin-matrix mismatch. The differences in proliferation patterns, cellular phenotype and matrix-integrin co-localisation may well explain the increase of invasiveness of normal extravillous trophoblast from term intrauterine via early intrauterine to viable tubal pregnancies.

Cell Count↗