Monoclonal antibodies to the human mammary gland (original) (raw)

Summary

Mouse monoclonal antibodies have been raised to the human milk fat globule membrane. The distribution of the antigens detected by four of the antibodies has been examined in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human tissues by light microscopic immunocytochemistry. The four antibodies stain lactating breast and normal resting breast. Two exclusively stain the luminal membranes of breast epithelial cells. A third antibody stains in addition the lateral membranes of duct epithelial cells. The fourth antibody stains both epithelial and myoepithelial cells. None of the antibodies is breast specific, nor do they stain every epithelial cell within the breast. Instead, each antibody reveals a complex and heterogeneous distribution of staining throughout the normal tissues. Within the breast, the staining by a given antibody is usually segmental and conforms to secretory units and their associated ducts. Similarly heterogeneous patterns of staining are also observed in the extramammary normal tissues. Despite the apparent morphological identity between breast epithelial cells when examined by conventional light microscopy, the hitherto unrecognised “functional” heterogeneity, which has been revealed by the monoclonal antibodies could have importance in understanding the biology of the normal breast and the pathology of breast cancer.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

• Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
• Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
• Cancel anytime View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

• Avrameas S, Ternynck T (1971) Peroxidase labelled antibody and Fab conjugates with enhanced intracellular penetration. Immunochemistry 8:1175–1179
  Google Scholar
• Bargmann W, Knoop A (1959) Über die Morphologie der Milchsekretion. Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Studien an der Milchdrüse der Ratte. Z Zellforsch 49:344–388
  Google Scholar
• Bässler R (1970) The morphology of hormone induced structural changes in the female breast. Curr Top Pathol 53:1–89
  Google Scholar
• Chien HC, Richardson T (1967) Gross structure of the globule membrane of cow's milk. J Dairy Sci 50:451–455
  Google Scholar
• Dabelow A (1957) Die Milchdrüse. In: Bargmann W (Hrsg) Handbuch der mikroskopischen Anatomie des Menschen. Vol 3, part 3. Haut und Sinnesorgane. Springer, Berlin, Göttingen, Heidelberg. S 277–485
  Google Scholar
• Edwards PAW (1980) Monoclonal antibodies that bind to the human erythrocyte-membrane glycoproteins glycophorin A and Band 3. Proc Biochem Soc Trans 8:334–335
  Google Scholar
• Foster CS, Dinsdale E, Edwards PAW, Neville AM (1982) Monoclonal antibodies to the human mammary gland: (II) Distribution of determinants in breast carcinomas. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 394:295–305
  Google Scholar
• Galfre G, Howe SC, Milstein C, Butcher GW, Howard JC (1977) Antibodies to major histocompatibility antigens produced by hybrid cell lines. Nature (Lond) 266:559–552
  Google Scholar
• Haguenau F, Arnoult J (1959) Le Cancer du sein chez la femme. Bull Ass Franc Cancer 46:177–211
  Google Scholar
• Hamperl H (1970) The myothelial (myoepithelial cells). Normal state; regressive changes; hyperplasia; tumours. Curr Top Pathol 53:162–220
  Google Scholar
• Jensenius JC, Williams AF (1974) The binding of anti-immunoglobulin antibodies to rat thymocytes and thoracic duct lymphocytes. Eur J Immunol 4:91–97
  Google Scholar
• Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Lewis-Farr A, Randall RJ (1951) Protein measurement with the Folin-Phenol reagent. J Biol Chem 193:265–275
  Google Scholar
• Ozzello L (1970) Epithelial-stromal junction of normal and dysplastic mammary glands. Cancer 25:586–600
  Google Scholar
• Ozzello L (1971) Ultrastructure of the human mammary gland. In: Sommers SC (ed) Pathology annual 1971. Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York, pp 1–59
  Google Scholar
• Ozzello L (1974) Electron microscopic study of functional and dysfunctional human mammary glands. I Invest Dermatol 63:19–26
  Google Scholar
• Plantz PE, Patton S, Keenan TW (1973) Further evidence of plasma membrane material in skim milk. J Dairy Sci 56:978–983
  Google Scholar
• Vorherr H (1974) The Breast: morphology, physiology and lactation. Academic Press, New York
  Google Scholar
• Wallington EA (1979) Artifacts in tissue sections. Med Lab Sci 36:3–61
  Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

1. Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden Hospital, SM2 GPX, Sutton, Surrey, Great Britain
   C. S. Foster, P. A. W. Edwards, E. A. Dinsdale & A. M. Neville

Authors

1. C. S. Foster
2. P. A. W. Edwards
3. E. A. Dinsdale
4. A. M. Neville

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Foster, C.S., Edwards, P.A.W., Dinsdale, E.A. et al. Monoclonal antibodies to the human mammary gland.Virchows Arch. A Path. Anat. and Histol. 394, 279–293 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00430671

Download citation

• Accepted: 06 October 1981
• Issue date: January 1982
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00430671

Key words