title: The DNA content of chromosome division figures and interphase nuclei classifies ulcerative colitis.
abstract: Long-standing ulcerative colitis is considered to be a precancerous condition. Therefore, a practical and reliable method is required for monitoring the progress of the disease. Liberation of the S-phase from karyokinesis occurs in DNA amplification and endoreplication, producing nuclei with more than 4 c DNA. The amount of Feulgen DNA was quantified with an image microphotometer in 8 microns sections for interphase nuclei and in 15 microns sections for chromosome division figures (CDFs). Development of ulcerative colitis was investigated in low grade dysplasia (n = 93 cases; score 3-7) and high grade dysplasia (n = 22; score 8-10). Bacterial colitis (n = 34) and invasive adenocarcinoma (n = 26) provided a basis for data interpretation in dysplasia. Lymphocyte nuclei served as an internal DNA standard. CDFs represent a novel type of aberrant 'mitoses'; they are different from and much more frequent than figures with multipolar spindles. Endoreplication began with low grade dysplasia in interphase nuclei as well as with CDFs; it was fully established in high grade dysplasia and carcinoma. Endoreplicated interphase nuclei and CDFs represent an early morphological mosaic of genomic instability. Both characteristics support a reproducible two-level classification of low and high grade dysplasia in ulcerative colitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute and Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Steinbeck
mesh_terms: D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007399:Interphase / Q000235:genetics*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004247:DNA