Pseudoaneuploid subpopulations detected in normal upper aerodigestive tract mucosa consistent with physiological apoptosis in normally differentiating squamous mucosa.
OBJECTIVE
While evaluating the validity of using normal human mucosal cells from the upper aerodigestive tract as diploid standards for DNA content studies of squamous cell cancer of head and neck by flow cytometry, pseudoaneuploidy was frequently detected. The purpose of this study was to further evaluate these DNA content abnormalities encountered in normal human mucosal cells and correlate them to physiological apoptosis.


METHODS
Thirty-two specimens of upper areodigestive tract mucosa from 18 surgical resections, 11 fresh autopsies, and 3 buccal scrapings were examined for DNA content by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Pseudoaneuploidy, which ranged from sub-G0/G1 peaks to hyperdiploid peaks with increased 90 degrees light scattering properties was found in 60% of these specimens. Fluorescent microscopic examination of the sorted DNA pseudoaneuploid cells demonstrated cells undergoing apoptosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This unexpected pseudoaneuploidy in normal mucosal cells was a result of physiological apoptosis, a normal component of squamous differentiation.


METHODS
B-2.
El-Rayes
Bassil F
BF
Department of Internal Medicine-Division of Hematology/Oncology, Wayne State University, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA.
Korkmaz
Hakan
H
Maciorowski
Zosia
Z
Sakr
Wael
W
Jacobs
John R
JR
Ensley
John F
JF
D000782:Aneuploidy; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000473:pathology
D004247:DNA