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Epithelial–mesenchymal transdifferentiation and extracellular matrix gene expression in pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid salivary gland
Author(s) -
Aigner Thomas,
Neureiter Daniel,
Völker Uwe,
Belke Jutta,
Kirchner Thomas
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9896(1998100)186:2<178::aid-path161>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - mesenchymal stem cell , transdifferentiation , biology , pathology , extracellular matrix , phenotype , pleomorphic adenoma , parotid gland , salivary gland , cellular differentiation , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , medicine , stem cell , genetics
Mesenchymal and epithelial cell differentiation are assumed to be dichotomic primary events in embryonic development. In this study, pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland were analysed as a model which shows morphological features of both epithelial and mesenchymal tissue types. Using matrix gene expression profiles as a supplementary criterion for the identification of cellular phenotypes, areas with unequivocal epithelial and mesenchymal differentiation could be demonstrated. Many areas displayed a transitional phenotype with cells showing both epithelial and mesenchymal features. The data provide evidence that epithelial–mesenchymal transitions represent the basic principle of the tisuse heterogeneity in pleomorphic adenomas. Thus, pleomorphic adenomas demonstrate the potential of adult (neoplastic) epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into mesenchymal cells in vivo . Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.