The Origin and Significance of Mammary Intraductal Foam Cells
Abstract
Intraductal "foam cells" are the most commonly encountered cells in spontaneous nipple discharge, nipple aspirate fluid and ductal lavage yet their origin and significance remain a mystery. They frequently surround DCIS and other intraductal proliferations but their presence has been regarded as a nuisance since they often hide the diagnostically more important epithelial cells. Our previous immunocytochemical studies with macrophage (CD68, lysozyme), epithelial (cytokeratin, estrogen receptor) and myoepithelial (smooth muscle actin, CALLA, maspin) markers have indicated that foam cells are of macrophage lineage and terminally differentiated (negative Ki-67 and PCNA). Their origin has been presumed to be of ductal lining epithelium. However this has not been proven. The origin and significance of mammery intraductal foam cells remain an important and unanswered question warranting study. Specifically our "Concept" proposal tests the hypothesis that these intraductal macrophages take origin from bone marrow derived hematopoietic precursors. Bone marrow from wild type male C57 black mice and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic male C57 black mice (Jackson Laboratories) will be harvested by femoral flushing. In the former group, the bone marrow will be labelled ex vivo by retroviral transfection of GFP using the latest generation of modified retroviral vectors designed to maximize gene expression in hematopoietic stem cells. In both groups, the harvested marrow will be tail-vein injected into lethally irradiated female C57 mice. Mice exhibiting successful bone marrow engraftment of at least 50% donor marrow will be identified and made pseudopregnant with injections of progesterone and their mammary fat pads will be excised and examined. The presence of GEP intraductal macrophages will be searched for.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA430010
Entities
People
- Sanford H. Barsky
Organizations
- University of California, Los Angeles