Summary
To detect and localize casein in human mammary dysplastic and neoplastic tissues, an indirect immunofluorescence method has been devised. Anti-casein antibodies have been obtained from rabbits immunized with casein isolated from human milk. Cryostat sections post-fixed in alcohol and paraffin sections from routinely formalin-fixed tissues proved suitable.
The immuno-fluorescence method revealed the presence of casein in epithelial cells in mammary dysplasia and in some, but not all, cases of carcinoma of the breast. Well differentiated (Grade I) carcinomas were shown to contain casein, mainly localized at the inner border of the epithelial cells; the milk protein was present also in cells metastatic in lymph nodes.
In Paget's disease of the nipple, casein could be detected in neoplastic cells in the ducts and also in cells identifiable with the typical intra-epidermal Paget cells.
This finding is evidence of a functional differentiation of Paget cells along lines proper to the mammary epithelium.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bush, W., Merker, H. J.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an menschlichen Mammacarcinomen. Virchows Arch. Abt. A 344, 356–371 (1968)
Edinak, E. M., Hirshaut, Y., Bernhard, M., Trempe, G.: Fluorescent antibody studies of human breast cancer. J. nat. Cancer Inst. 48, 1137–1143 (1972)
Edinak, E. M., Lardis, M. P., Vrana, M.: Antigenic changes in human breast neoplasia. Cancer (Philad.) 28, 1457–1461 (1971)
Groves, M. L., Kiddy, C.A.: Polymorphism of γ-casein in cow's milk. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 126, 188–193 (1968)
Hilf, R.: Milk-like fluid in a mammary adenocarcinoma: biochemical characterization. Science 155, 826–827 (1967)
Hohmann, P., Bern, H.A., Cole, R.D.: Responsiveness of pre-neoplastic and neoplastic mouse mammary tissues to hormones: casein and histone synthesis. J. nat. Cancer Inst. 49, 355–360 (1972)
Hoshino, M., Dmochowski, L.: Electron microscope study of antigens in cells of mammary tumor cell lines by peroxidase-labelled antibodies in sera of mammary tumor bearing mice and of patients with breast cancer. Cancer Res. 33, 2551–2561 (1973)
Jacobaeus, H. C.: Pagets disease und sein Verhältnis zum Milchdrüsenkarzinom. Virchows Arch. path. Anat. 178, 124–142 (1904)
Kihm, U.: Immunohistochemische Darstellung der Casein- und beta-Lactoglobulinsynthese in der Rindermilchdrüse. Histochemie 35, 273–281 (1973)
Loisillier, F., Buffe, D., Tan, K. B., Burtin, P., Grabar, P.: Etude immunologique des épithéliomes mammaires humains. Ann. Inst. Pasteur 109, 1–21 (1965)
McKenzie, H. A.: Milk proteins. Advanc. Prot. Chem. 22, 55–234 (1967)
Muir, R.: Further note on Paget's disease of the nipple. J. Path. Bact. 34, 594–595 (1931)
Muir, R., Aitkenhead, A. C.: The healing of intraductal carcinoma of the mamma. J. Path. Bact. 38, 117–127 (1934)
Ozzello, L.: Ultrastructure of the human mammary gland. Pathology Ann. 6, 1–60 (1971)
Priori, E. S., Seman, G., Dmochowski, L., Gallager, N. S., Anderson, D. E.: Immunofluorescence studies on sera of patients with breast cancer. Cancer (Philad.) 28, 1462–1471 (1971)
Scarff, R. W., Torloni, H.: Histological typing of breast tumours. Geneva: World Health Organization 1968
Taylor, G., Odili, J. L.: Tumor specific T-like antigens of human breast carcinoma. Brit. J. Cancer 24, 447–453 (1970)
Turkington, R. W.: Homogeneous differentiation of mammary alveolar cells. Exp. Cell Res. 58, 296–302 (1969)
Turkington, R. W.: Homogeneity of differentiated function in mammary carcinoma cell population. Cancer Res. 30, 1841–1845 (1970)
Turkington, R. W., Riddle, M.: Expression of differentiated function by mammary carcinoma cells in vitro. Cancer Res. 30, 127–132 (1970)
Wellings, S. R., Roberts, P.: Electron microscopy of sclerosing adenosis and infiltrating duct carcinoma of the human mammary gland. J. nat. Cancer Inst. 30, 269–287 (1963)
Young, S., Nelstrop, A. E.: The detection by immunofluorescence of casein in rat mammary glands. Brit. J. exp. Path. 51, 28–33 (1970)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
One of us (G.B.) is supported by grants from the Italian C.N.R. We thank Dr. P. Arese, Dr. P. Comoglio and Prof. A. Carbonara for help in isolating casein, in gel electrophoresis and in immuno-diffusion, respectively.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bussolati, G., Pich, A. & Alfani, V. Immunofluorescence detection of casein in human mammary dysplastic and neoplastic tissues. Virchows Arch. A Path. Anat. and Histol. 365, 15–21 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00439282
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00439282