Isolation and characterization of syncytiotrophoblast plasma membrane from human placenta.

Human full-term syncytiotrophoblast plasma membranes isolated by mechanical procedures (sieving and ultrasonic disintegration), purified by phase centrifugation, form a single band of 1.052 +/- 0.002 g/ml density in percoll gradient. The purity of the preparation was assessed by electron microscopy, enzyme analysis and beta 2-microglobulin determination.

Argyrophilic cells in mammary carcinoma.

Breast tumor tissues were treated by the Grimelius procedure and examined for the presence of argyrophilic cells. Carcinomas found to contain argyrophilic cells did not include classic carcinoid tumors; the group was, in fact, heterogeneous, comprising poorly differentiated ductal carcinomas, lobular carcinomas, carcinomas of uncertain origin, and colloid carcinomas. Colloid tumors were the most frequently encountered. The prominence of argyrophilic cells in colloid carcinomas raises the possibility that development into mucin-producing cells is propitious for endocrine differentiation.

Development of an ex vivo model of pig kidney perfused with human lymphocytes. Analysis of xenogeneic cellular reactions.

BACKGROUND: Because of the explosive nature and the extremely rapid process of hyperacute rejection (HAR), significant infiltration of the xenograft by immunocompetent cells is not observed, and the role and the mechanism of action of cell-mediated rejection in discordant xenografts are therefore still under discussion. METHOD: We developed an experimental approach using pig kidneys perfused with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in which the immunologic barrier of hyperacute rejection was excluded and which mimics the in vivo situation. RESULTS: PBL retention in the kidney was evaluated at 20-minute intervals for 3 hours. Retention increased from 30% to 80% with the time of perfusion and was specific because significantly fewer syngeneic lymphocytes were retained. Phenotype analysis of recovered PBL showed a significant decrease in natural killer (NK) cells. Immunohistochemical studies revealed the presence of NK cells and T lymphocytes in the glomerular and interstitial tubular structures of the kidney. Functional studies showed a progressive cessation of diuresis and augmentation of renal vascular resistance when the kidney was perfused with PBL. Electron microscopy examinations of kidney sections perfused with PBL showed swollen endothelial zones, suggesting alterations to and damage of the endothelium. CONCLUSIONS: This system provides a valuable model for the study of early discordant xenogeneic cellular rejection and demonstrates the predominance of xenograft infiltration by NK cells.

[Vascular effects of captopril in the prevention of genetic hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat]. / Effets vasculaires du captopril lors de la prévention de l'hypertension génétique chez le SHR.

Captopril (100 mg/kg, q.d., orally, from the 6th week of age) strongly inhibits genetic hypertension development (GHD) and this effect persists up to 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation. However, during these 12 weeks, systolic blood pressure and heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW) show a similar trend to slowly increase. We have investigated whether identical phenomena develop at the vascular level. Captopril strongly increased vascular mesenteric compliance, reduced aortic wall weight, mesenteric arterial wall lumen ratio and active contractile ability during treatment period and these effects were still observed up to 7 weeks after treatment interruption although there was a slight but progressive reduction in their intensity. Thus captopril opposes the structural and functional vascular and cardiac alterations which accompany GHD and this effect contributes to a large extent to the long-lasting preventive effects of the drug against GHD.

[Cirrhosis induced by vitamin A]. / Cirrhose induite par la vitamine A.

The case of a 75-year-old woman who had been treated for 12 years by vitamin A (250,000 UI/day) for psoriasis is presented. During the hospitalisation, hepatic cirrhosis was detected and attributed to hypervitaminosis A based on disease history, clinical hypervitaminosis A features, increased vitamin A blood values and histological patterns, i. e. perisinusoidal fibrosis and spontaneous fluorescence of lipid vacuoles within fat-storing cells. Thus, although rare, vitamin A intoxication can be responsible for cirrhosis.

[Merkel cell tumor]. / Tumeur à cellules de Merkel.

Two cases of skin carcinoma which display endocrine differentiation are reported. In the relevant literature, these neoplasms are considered to be of Merkel cells lineage. These two carcinomas demonstrated salient morphological features. The first tumor contained small aggregates of cells with a deeply indented nucleus. It is postulated that these formations represent foci of Merkel cells maturation. It is suggested that this distinctive focal histological feature may permit recognition of these neoplasms. The second tumor exhibited an admixture of endocrine and epidermoid differentiation. Such observations prompt us to postulate that Merkel cells and keratinocytes originate from the same stem cell.

[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma with granular cells]. / Histiocytome fibreux malin avec cellules granuleuses.

This report describes a malignant tumor of soft tissue which combined granular cells with an histologic pattern of malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Immunohistological and ultrastructural studies were performed. Neo-plastic cells were devoid of S-100 Protein but contained lysozyme. Ultrastructural findings showed granular cells containing numerous lysosomes and non-granular cells exhibiting fibroblastic and histiocytic differentiations. This lesion prompts us to consider either a malignant granular cell tumor or a malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

[Interstitial pneumopathy in subjects treated with amiodarone]. / Pneumopathies interstitielles chez les sujets traités par l'amiodarone.

Five cases of interstitial fibrinogenic pneumopathy in addition to the 17 cases already published have considerably increased the suspicion that amiodarone might be responsible for this type of lung lesion. Moreover, it has been firmly established that 10 (56%) of 18 patients with fibrinogenic interstitial pneumopathy had taken the drug. Amiodarone therefore seems to play an important role in the genesis of iatrogenic pulmonary fibroses. These, however, are rare, even though they probably remain undiagnosed in a substantial number of cases.

[Associated Paget's disease of the vulva and of the nipple in the same patient: pathology with ultrastructural study (author's transl)]. / Association d'une maladie de Paget mammaire et vulvaire. Etude optique, ultrastructurale et cytochimique.

A case of Paget's disease of the vulva associated with Paget's disease of the nipple is reported. When the patient was 74-year-old, Paget's disease of the vulva was diagnosed; four years later, Paget's disease of the nipple was detected. Paget's disease of the vulva, although recurrent, is devoid of underlying infiltrating carcinoma. Eccrine sweats glands show different type of lesions consistent with pagetoid extension, in situ carcinoma and epithelial papillary proliferation. Ultrastructural study demonstrates dense granules within Paget's cells. A positive Thiery's cytochemical reaction indicates that these granules contain glycoprotein. Paget's disease of the nipple is associated with an intraductal carcinoma (cribriform type). Some feature of intralobular carcinoma is also observed. No foci of infiltration are found. Oestrogen receptors are detected by the histofluorescence technique of Sin Hang Lee. Few receptors are seen within the intraductal neoplastic cells and within the Paget's cells whereas no receptor at all, are observed within the keratinocytes. Several reports emphasized the relationship between vulvar Paget's disease and infiltrating breast carcinoma. Associated vulvar and nipple Paget's disease is rather rare and was just observed in two cases. These two observations were associated with a mammary infiltrating carcinoma whereas in our case, it remains an in situ carcinoma.

[Dyskeratosis congenita Zinsser-Cole-Engman form. Report of two affected brothers (author's transl)]. / Dyskératose congénitale de Zinsser-Cole-Engman Chez deus frères.

Cutaneous pigmentation, lingual leukoplasia and dystrophic changes of nails are present in the two cases. The other clinical manifestations are dental alterations, epiphora, loss of dermal ridges of the pulp with hyperhidrosis, atrophic skin of the dorsum of the hands. Dysphagia and bone marrow hypoplasia are present in one case. The proband (case 1) has normal values for the following: hemoglobin electrophoresis, pyruvate kinase, marrow and blood chromosome analysis. Biopsy of pigmented skin showed an atrophic epidermis with orthokeratotic-hyperkeratosis; in the higher dermis there were several melanophores. Multiple layers of vasal lamina are seen under electron microscopy. The parents and the two daughters are free of clinical or hematologic manifestations. The mother and her two affected sons have A1-BW 27 HLA haplotype. X-linked transmission is discussed.

[Demonstration of estradiol and progesterone receptors in histological preparations]. / Mise en évidence des récepteurs de l'oestradiol et de la progestérone sur préparations histologiques.

Oestradiol receptors were demonstrated using the technique of Sin Hang Lee. Receptors are seen after incubation of a section of breast tissue frozen immediately before, with oestradiol bound to a fluorescent molecule (17 beta-oestradiol-6-carboxymethyloxime-bovine serum albumin-fluorescein isothiocyanate). By the same technique, it is possible to visualise progesterone receptors (11 alpha-hydroxy-progesterone hemisuccinate-bovine serum albuminum-tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate). This technique was applied routinely to all breast specimens sent to the laboratory. There were approximately 30 carcinomas, 10 fibroadenomas and 10 dysplasic lesions. Infiltrating carcinomas contained oestrogenic receptors, their distribution being heterogeneous. They appeared to consist of a mixture in varying proportions of positive and negative cells. Intracanalicular carcinomas contained little or no receptors. Receptors were present in Paget cells whilst surrounding keratinocytes contained none. Young fibroadenomas showed the presence of receptors within their epithelial and fibroblastic elements. By contrast, fibroadenomas in a state of involution were negative. Dysplasias may contain receptors, the quantity and distribution showing no typical pattern. In particular, intracanalicular epithelial proliferations may contain receptors. The results of this technique have not yet been correlated with those of "exchanges in vitro".

[Diffuse hemangiomas of the skin and gastrointestinal tract. A case of blue rubber bleb naevus (author's transl)]. / Hémangiomatose disséminée de la peau et du tube digestif. Un cas de blue rubber bleb naevus.

The authors report the case of a 33-year-old patient with 109 skin hemangiomas of the blue rubber bleb naevus type, accompanied by angiomas of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding of the angiomas caused anemia. This case was apparently sporadic. The authors recall the clinical, histological and ultrastructural features of this rare disorder. Histology can help to differentiate BRBN from glomangioma.

Carcinoid tumor occurring in a teratoid malformation of the kidney. An immunohistochemical study.

A case of a carcinoid tumor of the kidney that was intimately related to a mixed dysplastic and teratomatous lesion is reported. This lesion displayed focal transitional, mucinous, and endocrine differentiations. Immunofluorescence studies permit the identification of three immunoreactive products: somatostatin, glucagon, and serotonin. It is suggested that the carcinoid tumor arises from this peculiar lesion, which exhibits cells of endocrine lineage.

Endocrine cells in the prostate gland, urothelium and Brenner tumors. Immunohistological and ultrastructural studies.

Endocrine cells are a normal constituent of the prostate gland, prostatic urethra and urinary bladder mucosa. Positive results using immunohistochemical technics were obtained only with antiserotonin antibodies. In normal tissues, there was a close similarity between the distribution of argyrophilic cells (Grimelius) and serotonin-storing cells. Some striking features were the patchy distribution of endocrine cells, the presence of slender cytoplasmic processes occasionally reaching the luminal surface and the paucity of specialized cells in bladder mucosa. It is unlikely that endocrine cells participate in conventional neoplasms of prostate and bladder. Exceptions are lobular hyperplasia, certain adeno-carcinomas of prostate and inverted papilloma of bladder. An ultrastructural study permitted the distinction of two types of endocrine cells characterized by a different morphology of their granules. Another relevant finding was the presence of serotonin-storing cells in Brenner tumors. The latter observation emphasizes the close similarity between this neoplastic epithelium and urothelium. This implies that endocrine cells may be of mesodermal derivation.

Microfilamentous carcinoid of the thymus: correlation of ultrastructural study with Grimelius stain.

We observed a carcinoid of the thymus that was remarkable for the presence of intracytoplasmic inclusions-readily visible by light microscopy-in the majority of tumor cells. The inclusions were best seen in Grimelius-stained preparations, which also revealed argyrophilic granules present within or close to the masses. On electron microscope examination the inclusions were found to be composed of aggregates of filaments, probably of the intermediate type, which were at times accompanied by neurosecretory granules. The observed incompatibility between the presence of such inclusions and a homogeneous distribution of secretory granules in the cytoplasm is suggestive of a dysfunction of intracellular movements. Microfilamentous carcinoids may represent a class of tumor having a pathologic excretory process.

Unusual endocervical polypoid tumor with endocrine cells: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis.

Light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of an unusual polypoid tumor of endocervix are reported. Numerous polypeptide hormone and amine-producing endocrine cells were disclosed. Main conventional characteristics were the architectural growth pattern, with infolding glands giving rise to small secondary glands, the hypermucinous benign-appearing epithelium of endocervical type, and, possibly, the stromal smooth muscle. Ultrastructural analysis showed a highly differentiated tumor. Glandular elements were surrounded by a basal lamina. Mucinous cells, several endocrine cell types, amphicrine cells, nonsecretory ciliated cells, ciliated mucinous cells, and possible reserve cells were observed. This tumor departs appreciably from normal mucosa and common varieties of endocervical polyp, particularly its distinctive endocrine profile. The present case does not correspond to a well-defined type of endocervical neoplasia. It shares morphologic analogies with mucinous tumor of ovary. The malignant potential of this lesion as well as its relationship with minimal deviation adenocarcinoma remain questionable.

Endocrine cells in the female genital tract.

Endocrine cells are normal inhabitants of the para-urethral, Bartholin's and endocervical glands and of mesonephric rests. All these cells were characterized as serotonin-storing cells. In the para-urethral and Bartholin's glands, serotonin-containing cells were most often found in the transitional epithelium of excretory ducts. Endocrine cells participated in some pathological conditions. Abundant argentaffin cells were observed among the terminal ductules in chronic bartholinitis and serotonin-storing cells were identified in a peculiar ectocervical epithelium. Numerous serotonin-storing cells were detected in a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of cervix occurring in a patient with the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Argyrophilic cells were present in cases of endometrial carcinomas; a striking feature was the demonstration of gut peptide hormones in an unusual type of endometrial adenocarcinoma. Finally, serotonin-storing cells were a constituent of Brenner tumours. It is suggested that a similar endocrine pattern may be shared by tissues originating from both Müllerian ducts and the urogenital sinus.