Expression of Syndecan-1 in histologically normal breast tissue from postmenopausal women with breast cancer according to mammographic density.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the expression of Syndecan-1 in dense and non-dense human breast tissue.


METHODS
Specimens of histologically normal tissue were obtained from postmenopausal women undergoing surgery for breast cancer. Each tissue block was subject to radiological examination and pair-wise samples of dense and non-dense tissue were collected. Semi-quantitative assessment of immunohistochemical staining intensity for Syndecan-1 and estrogen receptor subtypes was performed.


RESULTS
The expression of Syndecan-1 in all tissue compartments was significantly higher in dense than in non-dense specimens. The strongest staining was recorded in stromal tissue. There was a strong correlation between epithelial estrogen receptor alpha and stromal cell Syndecan-1 expression in dense tissue (rs = 0.7; p = 0.02). This association was absent in non-dense tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
An increase of Syndecan-1 in all tissue compartments and a redistribution from epithelium to stroma may be a characteristic feature for dense breast tissue.
Lundström
E
E
Department of Obstetrics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Sahlin
L
L
Skoog
L
L
Hägerström
T
T
Svane
G
G
Azavedo
E
E
Sandelin
K
K
von Schoultz
B
B
D001940:Breast / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D053668:Syndecan-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D053668:Syndecan-1