Browsing by Subject "Mammary gland"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Effects of relaxin on the microvasculature of mouse mammary gland
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1988) Bani, Gastone; Bani-Sacchi, Tatiana; Bigazzi, Mario; Bianchi, Stefano
    The effects of RLX on the microvasculature of the mouse mammary gland are reported. RLX (pure porcine standard NIH-RXN-P1) at a dose of 3 GPU was administered subcutaneously to virgin adult mice ovariectomized 12 days before. The mammary glands were removed 18-20 h after RLX injection and their examination by light microscopy did not reveal any substantial growth-response to the hormone . Histology and morphometry indicated striking dilation of microvessels, especially capillaries. and electron microscopy revealed an increase in the micropinocytotic vesicles, thus suggesting enhanced transendothelial transport of substances. Such phenomena, which were independent of a release of granules by mast cells, may represent an important component of the mammotrophic action of RLX.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Effects of tamoxifen and CV 205502 on the morphology and the evolution of the noncancerous mouse mammary gland
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1993) Kotoula, Vassiliki; Karkavelas, G.; Economou, L.; Sionga, A.; Boutis, L.; Kerameos-Foroglou, Ch.
    Tamoxifen (TAM, 0.01 mglanirnal, three times a week) and the experimental prolactinlowering CV 205502 (CV, 1 pglanimal, daily) were administered prophylactically, alone or combined, to virgin C3HISy mice during the early period of promotion in this spontaneous mammary carcinogenesis system (end of 2nd- 5th month of age), in order to study their influence on the rnorphology and evolution of the noncancerous mammary gland during therapy and after treatment cessation. During TAM administration the epithelial cells of the growing part of the gland exhibited myoepithelial- and, late in the treatrnent period, apoptotic-like features instead of the secretory ones expected, accompanied by intense basement rnembrane alterations, thickening of the surrounding connective tissue and arrested adipocyte maturation. These effects reversed progressively after drug withdrawal. The epithelial alterations were more intense and longer lasting in the TAM+CV-group, while growth arrest of the glands was observed in both groups parallel to the degree and the duration of these morphological changes. In these groups, tumor incidence was diminished, as expected, but the tumors that developed late after treatment cessation were of low histological differentiation. The above morphological obsemations show that TAM inhibits noncancerous mammary gland growth during the reproductive period by altering stromal and epithelial differentiation, effects that reverse progressively after treatrnent discontinuation and are potentiated by a prolactin-lowering agent in this animal study.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Expression of keratin 19, Na-K-Cl cotransporter and estrogen receptor alpha in developing mammary glands of ewes
    (F. Hernández y J.F. Madrid. Murcia: Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología., 2011) Colitti, M.
    Mammary gland remodelling is strictly related to intracellular signals and stem cell biology. Among the best candidates to identify the nature and development of mammary cells are cytokeratin 19 (CK19), the Na-K-Cl cotransporter (NKCC1) and receptor of estrogen alpha (ERα). In this study, we analyzed the expression of these genes in ewe mammary glands from prepubertal stage to involution. Using Real time PCR we showed that NKCC1 transcription was significantly down regulated during lactation and at involution in comparison to the expression measured in the prepubertal group. No significant differences were found in CK19 expression, whereas ERα transcription was significantly down regulated before lambing, during lactation and at involution. In situ hybridization analysis confirmed quantitative data and localized the CK 19 transcript at basal and luminal compartment of terminal ductal unit (TDU) of prepubertal mammary glands. NKCC1 expression was also present in lactating glands and ERα in connective tissue surrounding TDU. The characterization and identification of mammary developmental markers in the tissue of dairy animals is necessary to gain knowledge in mammary gland biology.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Ferutinin dose-dependent effects on uterus and mammary gland in ovariectomized rats
    (F. Hernández y Juan F. Madrid. Universidad de Murcia: Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2014) Ferretti, Marzia; Cavani, Francesco; Manni, Paola; Carnevale, Gianluca; Bertoni, Laura; Zavatti, Manuela; Palumbo, Carla
    The present paper completes our recent study on the effects of phytoestrogen ferutinin in preventing osteoporosis and demonstrating the superior osteoprotective effect of a 2 mg/kg/day dose in ovariectomized (OVX) rats, compared to both estrogens and lower (0.5, 1 mg/kg/day) ferutinin doses. Morphological and morphometrical analyses were performed on the effects of different doses of ferutinin administrated for one month on uterus and on mammary gland of Sprague-Dawley OVX rats, evaluated in comparison with the results for estradiol benzoate. To verify whether ferutinin provides protection against uterine and breast cancer, estimations were made of both the amount of cell proliferation (by Ki-67), and the occurrence of apoptosis (by TUNEL), two processes that in unbalanced ratio form the basis for cancer onset. The results suggest that the effects of ferutinin are dose dependent and that a 2 mg/kg/day dose might offer a better protective action against the onset of both breast and uterine carcinoma compared to ferutinin in lower doses or estradiol benzoate, increasing cellular apoptosis in glandular epithelia.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Immunohistochemical characterisation of dorsal root ganglia neurons supplying the porcine mammary gland
    (F. Hernández y J.F. Madrid. Murcia: Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología., 2011) Franke-Radowiecka, Amelia
    The present study investigated the chemical coding of mammary gland-projecting dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons using double-labelling immunohistochemistry. Earlier investigations revealed the presence of Fast blue - positive (FB+) neurons in Th9-Th12 DRG after injection of the tracer into the second, right thoracic mamma. Neurons projecting to the last right abdominal mamma were found in L1-L3 DRG. In the present study, the cryostat sections from these ganglia were stained for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), galanin (GAL) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the vast majority of FB+ mammary gland-projecting neurons contained immunoreactivity to CGRP (68.87±0.7%), SP (63.4±0.9%), NOS (32.47±0.9%), GAL (16.28±0.8%) and less numerous nerve cells stained for PACAP (5.87±0.5%). The present results largely correspond with findings dealing with immunohistochemical characterization of nerve fibres supplying porcine mammary gland structures described earlier.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Innervation of the canine mammary gland: an immunohistochemical study
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2007) Pinho, M.S.; Gulbenkian, S.
    The distribution of peptidergic nerves in canine mammary tissues was studied by immunohistochemical techniques. In addition, the general and the noradrenergic innervations were demonstrated using protein gene product 9.5 and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivities as markers, respectively. Tissue specimens from the caudal mammary glands were obtained from adult, nonlactating, female dogs. The overall innervation of the mammary gland tissue was sparse and primarily associated with the arterial vasculature. Nerve fibres positive for protein gene product 9.5 were rarely found in the secretory parenchyma. The nipple was not richly innervated, although it displayed a greater amount of nerve fibres than the mammary parenchyma. Nerve fibres supplying nonvascular structures of the nipple expressed immunoreactivity for the sensory neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P and neuropeptide K, but not for vasoactive intestinal peptide, peptide histidine isoleucine and C-flanking peptide of neuropeptide Y. Somatostatin immunoreactivity was not detected in mammary gland tissue. Our results indicate that the innervation of the canine mammary gland is mainly affiliated with the vasculature and comprises peptidergic nerves which may be involved in the regulation of local blood flow. The presence of sensory neuropeptides in nerves supplying the mammary nipple suggest that these peptides may play a role in the afferent pathway of the milk ejection reflex.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    lmmunohistochemical demonstration of metallothionein in benign and malignant canine mammary tumours
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1999) Fuentealba, I.C.; Mullins, J.E.
    Immunocytochemical demonstration of metallothionein (MT) has been reported as a useful prognostic tool in human breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the immunohistochemical location of MT in canine mammary tumours and its possible correlation with the morphologic characteristics of these tumours. Surgical specimens from spontaneous malignant (n=20) and benign mammary neoplasms (n=20) were processed for routine histological examination and immunohistochemical study. An indirect immunoperoxidase technique, using monoclonal antibody E9 against horse MT was employed. Intensity of the stain, the percentage of immunoreactive tumour cells and immunohistochemical overexpression of MT was estimated for each case. Metallothionein overexpression, defined as those cases with more than 10% immunopositive cells, was detected in both benign and malignant mammary tumours. However, strong immunostaining intensity was seen in benign tumours, whereas in malignant tumours immunopositive cells stained weakly. Positive MT immunostaining occurred in neoplastic epithelial cells, and some chondrocytes present in mixed mammary tumours. I-Iowever, staining intensity was variable in immunopositive cells. Differences in staining intensity between the primary malignant mammary tumour, tumour emboli and metastatic cells within a lymph node were also noted. Myoepithelial cells and connective tissue did not stain for MT. We concluded that metallothionein immunostaining cannot be used as a diagnostic or prognostic tool in canine mammary neoplasms. However, results of this study support the hypothesis that MT has a role in tumour proliferation and tumour progression.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    MUC-1-ESA+ progenitor cells in normal benign and malignant human breast epithelial cells
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2009) Lu, Xinquan; Li, Huixiang; Xu, Kejia; Nesland, Jahn M.; Suo, Zhenhe
    The existence of mammary epithelial stem/progenitor cells has been demonstrated in MUC-1-/ ESA+ subpopulations of breast epithelial cells. However, knowledge about the expression and localization in benign and malignant breast lesions is unknown. Using a double-staining immunohistochemistry method, we investigated MUC-1-/ESA+ cells in 10 normal breast tissues, 49 cases with fibrocystic disease, 40 fibroadenomas, 36 invasive ductal carcinomas and the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468. In normal breast tissues MUC-1-/ESA+ cells were mainly found in the suprabasal layer, but under the apical surface of the duct/alveolus. In the hyperplastic areas of fibrocystic disease, the number of this subpopulation of cells was higher than that in hypoplastic areas and in fibroadenomas. In invasive ductal carcinoma, the MMUC-1-/ESA+ cells were heterogeneously present in different carcinoma nests. In the MCF-7 cell line most cells were MUC-1-/ESA+, and in the MDA-MB-468 cell line MUC-1-/ESA+ cells and MUC-1-/ESA+ cells were almost equal. Our results show that the MUC-1-/ESA+ subpopulation increases in fibrocystic disease within the hyperplastic areas, and varies in benign and malignant breast tumours, indicating that breast carcinogenesis may develop from malignant changes of normal MUC-1-/ESA+ cells.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Primary mammary osteogenic sarcoma
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2007) Khaldi, L.; Athanasiou, E.T.; Hadjitheofilou, C.Th.
    A 78 year-old female patient underwent a total mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection for a primary breast osteosarcoma. Microscopically the tumor was identical to grade II skeletal osteosarcoma. Immunohistochemically no reactivity was detected, either for the epithelial markers EMA, AE1/AE3, CK8, 18, 19, or for HER-2/neu, estrogen and progesterone receptors, as well as fluorescent IN SITU hybridization for HER-2/neu. The diagnosis of this tumor fulfills certain clinicopathological criteria. Mammary osteosarcoma is usually developed in phyllodes tumors or carcinosarcomas of the breast as a result of metaplasia of the epithelial component. This rare tumor of the breast is occasionally associated with prior radiation therapy or well documented trauma. Mammary osteosarcoma is a biologically aggressive neoplasm with a 38% five-year survival rate. Surgical resection is the most effective therapy to date. Adjuvant treatment -chemotherapy or radiotherapy- has shown no clear benefit. An extensive review of the literature is also presented.