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Transferrin receptor expression in non‐malignant and malignant human breast tissue
Author(s) -
Walker Rosemary A.,
Day Sheila J.
Publication year - 1986
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/path.1711480305
Subject(s) - transferrin receptor , immunohistochemistry , monoclonal antibody , pathology , receptor , transferrin , staining , antibody , biology , mammary gland , breast cancer , cancer research , medicine , immunology , cancer , endocrinology , biochemistry , genetics
The expression of transferrin receptor by normal, pregnant and benign hyperplastic breast lesions and by breast carcinomas has been investigated immunohistochemically using two monoclonal antibodies directed against the receptor. Unlike a previous immunohistological study in which staining was confined to imlignant breast, transferrin receptor has been detected in pregnant breast and in benign lesions as well as in all carcinomas examined. The latter showed variable reactivity but with staining of most cells in 70 percent of cases. Although the expression of transfcrrin reccptor in non‐malignant conditions may be related to cell proliferation, as has been suggested from studies of activated cells, the extent of reactivity of carcinomas has shown no correlation with tumour characteristics such as differentiation and local tumour spread. It is therefore suggested that the immunologically active transferrin receptor of breast carcinomas may have significance other than that relating to proliferation. The finding that with some carcinomas differences in staining occurred between the two antibodies is a further illustration of the complexities of the nature of Itransfcrrin receptor.