An ultrastructural evaluation of cell heterogeneity in invasive ductal carcinomas of the human breast. II. An in vitro study

J Submicrosc Cytol Pathol. 1989 Jul;21(3):489-99.

Abstract

The ultrastructural characterization of the present continuous cell line, derived from a primary ductal infiltrating carcinoma (d.i.c.) of the human breast, has brought to light a remarkable morphological similarity with the original neoplastic cell population. A major parallelism is the permanent presence in culture of two categories of cells, exhibiting a strong isomorphism with the in vivo counterparts. The presence of well defined ultrastructural features, as duct-like structures, microvillous projections, junctional complexes and intracytoplasmic crypts, is a further confirmation of the breast cancer origin of this line. The significance and perspective of these findings are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / ultrastructure*
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / ultrastructure*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Phenotype
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / ultrastructure