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Determination of DNA synthesis, estrogen receptors, and carcinoembryonic antigen in isolated cellular subpopulations of human breast cancer
Author(s) -
Podhajcer Osvaldo L.,
Bravo Alicia Ines,
Sorin Irene,
Guman Natalio,
Cerdeirci Roberto,
Mordoh Jose
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19860801)58:3<720::aid-cncr2820580320>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - carcinoembryonic antigen , collagenase , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer cell , estrogen receptor , antigen , medicine , receptor , ficoll , proliferating cell nuclear antigen , biology , breast cancer , endocrinology , cancer research , cell growth , immunology , cancer , biochemistry , enzyme , in vitro , peripheral blood mononuclear cell
Primary breast adenocarcinomas obtained from ten patients were enzymatically digested using collagenase (1 mg/ml), hyaluronidase (1 mg/ml), elastase (0.1 mg/ml) and DNAse (0.2 mg/ml). The tumor cells were labeled with 3 H‐thymidine and, in some cases, with 3 H‐estradiol. The isolated cells were submitted successively to a Ficoll‐Hypaque and a bovine serum albumin gradient, from which 12 fractions were obtained. In each fraction, several characteristics were determined: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), thymidine (dThd) incorporation, and estrogen receptors (ER). Three main cellular Subpopulations were characterized: (1) An intermediate density subpopulation (1.046–1.054g/ml), in which the proliferating cells are concentrated. In this subpopulation a small number of CEA‐positive cells are present, but ER containing cells are virtually absent. (2) A high‐density, small cell subpopulation that concentrates most of the ER‐containing cells. This subpopulation lacks proliferating cells, but CEA‐containing cells are abundant. (3) A low‐density subpopulation, lacking proliferating cells and with scarce ER‐positive cells, although CEA‐positive cells are frequent. These findings strongly suggest that proliferating cells lack ER. Cancer 58:720‐729, 1986.