The myoepithelial cell differentiation of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a collagen gel-based coculture model.
BACKGROUND
Mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) are the most common malignant tumor of the salivary glands; however, the histogenesis of MECs has been still controversial. This study was undertaken to investigate the histogenesis of MECs by the examination of their collagen gel-based coculture tissue and transplanted tumors.


METHODS
Two cell lines from a primary and a metastatic MECs were established and characterized by the mutational analysis of the p53 gene and in vivo tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice. Collagen gel-based organotypic cocultures were performed, and the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical findings were examined.


RESULTS
Two cell lines demonstrated p53 point mutation at the same codon. A metastatic cell line of MEC showed in vivo tumorigenicity. Transplanted tumors and the collagen gel-based culture tissues showed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas devoid of mucous cell differentiation; however, they disclosed the differentiation of myoepithelial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
MECs appear to be centered on the squamous cell differentiation, and the specific differentiation of myoepithelial or mucous cells seems to be modulated by the property of microenvironment.
Yook
Jong In
JI
Department of Oral Pathology, Oral Cancer Research Institute, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Seoung Ae
SA
Chun
Yong Chan
YC
Huh
Jung
J
Cha
In Ho
IH
Kim
Jin
J
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003062:Codon / Q000235:genetics; D003094:Collagen; D003470:Culture Media; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology*; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology
D000199:Actins; D003062:Codon; D003470:Culture Media; D007633:Keratins; D003094:Collagen