title: Immune cell quantitation in normal breast tissue lobules with and without lobulitis.
abstract: While the immune microenvironment has been investigated in breast cancers, little is known about its role in non-malignant breast tissues. Here we quantify and localize cellular immune components in normal breast tissue lobules, with and without visible immune infiltrates (lobulitis). Up to ten representative lobules each in eleven normal breast tissue samples were assessed for B cells (CD20), cytotoxic T cells (CD8), helper T cells (CD4), dendritic cells (CD11c), leukocytes (CD45), and monocytes/macrophages (CD68). Using digital image analysis, immune cell densities were measured and compared between lobules with/without lobulitis. 109 lobules in 11 normal breast tissue samples were evaluated; 31 with lobulitis and 78 without. Immune cells showed consistent patterns in all normal samples, predominantly localized to lobules rather than stroma. Regardless of lobulitis status, most lobules demonstrated CD8+, CD11c+, CD45+, and CD68+ cells, with lower densities of CD4+ and CD20+ cells. Both CD11c+ and CD8+ cells were consistently and intimately associated with the basal aspect of lobule epithelium. Significantly higher densities of CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, and CD45+ cells were observed in lobules with lobulitis. In contrast, densities of monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells did not vary with lobulitis. In normal breast tissue, myeloid and lymphoid cells are present and localized to lobules, with cytotoxic T and dendritic cells directly integrated with epithelium. Lobules with lobulitis have significantly more adaptive immune (B and T) cells, but no increase in dendritic cells or monocytes/macrophages. These findings indicate an active and dynamic mucosal immune system in normal breast tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA, degnim.amy@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Degnim
authors.forename: Rushin D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Brahmbhatt
authors.forename: Derek C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Radisky
authors.forename: Tanya L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Hoskin
authors.forename: Melody
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stallings-Mann
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laudenschlager
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mansfield
authors.forename: Marlene H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Knutson
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Visscher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D001940:Breast / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD