Intraepithelial lumina in urothelial bladder neoplasms. A histochemical, immunohistochemical and electron microscopy study.
Intraepithelial lumina observed in 12 urothelial bladder neoplasms were studied histochemically, immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally. Both intercellular and intracytoplasmic lumina could be demonstrated showing an alcianophilic margin and containing non-sulphated acid mucins. The presence of secretory component (SC) was identified in neoplastic urothelial cells around or adjacent to intercellular lumina as well as in cells with intracytoplasmic lumina. The cells surrounding intercellular lumina revealed ultrastructurally tight junctions, microvilli and a prominent glycocalyx while cellular remnants were found quite often within the lumen. As similar histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural characteristics are also expressed in surface umbrella cells of normal urothelium it is suggested that a focal differentiation of neoplastic urothelial cells towards surface umbrella-like cells takes place and that this process is intimately related to the formation of lumina.
Delladetsima
J
J
Department of Pathology, Laikon Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Antonakopoulos
G N
GN
Dapolla
V
V
Kittas
C
C
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012635:Secretory Component / Q000378:metabolism; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
D012635:Secretory Component