Subtypes of non-transformed human mammary epithelial cells cultured in vitro: histo-blood group antigen H type 2 defines basal cell-derived cells.
Normal (non-transformed) human mammary epithelial cell lines derived from reduction mammoplasties were analyzed by immunocytochemistry with more than 80 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other specific reagents to tissue-specific and developmentally regulated antigens at different passage levels. A subpopulation of poorly differentiated, proliferating epithelial cells, corresponding to the 'selected' cell type of late passages, is shown to be characterized by a new marker, the histo-blood group antigen H type 2, probably carried on a membrane-bound glycolipid. These cells also express a number of other onco-developmental carbohydrate antigens [Le(y), Le(x), sialosyl-Le(a), precursor of Thomsen Friedenreich antigen (Tn), but not Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen and sialosyl-Tn]. Their cytokeratin (CK) phenotype, as assessed by reactivity with monospecific mAbs and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, is CK 5, 6, 14 and 17, with CK 19 being consistently absent, and varying minor amounts of CK 7, 8 and 18, as well as 15 and 16. The reactivity of these cells with a panel of 11 mAbs specific for CK 18 varies considerably even after cloning, indicating heterogeneity of epitope expression or accessibility. Our data strongly suggest that the H type 2+ cells develop from the basal cell layer of the mammary gland.
Karsten
U
U
Max Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany.
Papsdorf
G
G
Pauly
A
A
Vojtesek
B
B
Moll
R
R
Lane
E B
EB
Clausen
H
H
Stosiek
P
P
Kasper
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D001940:Breast / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D002999:Clone Cells; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000032:analysis*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D007519:Isoantigens; C031192:oncofetal antigens