Significance of collagenous and mucinous spherulosis in breast cytology specimens.

OBJECTIVE: Spherulosis of the breast is a rare but distinct benign morphological entity. As there are few cytological reports of breast spherulosis, the significance of spherulosis among cytological specimens is unclear. The objective was to document cytological aspects of spherulosis. METHODS: A total of 3491 consecutive breast fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) samples and 69 nipple discharge cytology samples were reviewed. Papanicolaou-stained slides with or without Romanowsky staining were analysed. The corresponding 1926 histological specimens were also reviewed. RESULTS: We detected 17 cases of collagenous spherulosis (CS) and/or mucinous spherulosis (MS) among 3560 breast cytology specimens (0.48%). All samples were from women, who varied in age from 22 to 69 years. CS and/or MS were present in 15 of 3491 FNAC specimens (0.43%) and in two of 69 nipple discharge cytology specimens (2.9%). Corresponding histological specimens were available for 14 of the 17 specimens. Of the 14 specimens, 12 consisted of intraductal papilloma, one of fibroadenoma, and one of fibrocystic change. There was no spherulosis among the 1251 cytological specimens of malignant diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Cytological evidence of spherulosis is a good indicator of intraductal papilloma.

Cartilage-derived anti-tumor factor (CATF) inhibits the proliferation of endothelial cells in culture.

Previous studies showed that a cartilage-derived anti-tumor factor (CATF), which was extracted from bovine cartilage with 1 M guanidine hydrochloride, inhibited the growth of solid sarcoma 180, but not the growth of ascites tumors of sarcoma 180 [Suzuki, F. et al. Jpn. J. Bone Metab., 2, 231-235 (1984)]. This study showed that CATF inhibited the proliferation and DNA synthesis of endothelial cells isolated from bovine pulmonary artery, but not the proliferations of sarcoma 180, L1210 and L cells. These results suggest that CATF has anti-angiogenic properties, thereby inhibiting the growth of solid tumors.

Differentiation and de-differentiation of cultured chondrocytes: increase in monomeric size of 'cartilage-specific' proteoglycans by dibutyryl cyclic AMP and complete inhibition of their synthesis by retinoic acid.

Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP) induced an increase in the monomeric size of 'cartilage-specific' proteoglycans (PG-I) in rabbit costal chondrocytes in culture. This increase in size was due to an increase in the average molecular weight of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains. In contrast, retinoic acid completely inhibited the synthesis of PG-I. However, the synthesis and monomeric size of 'ubiquitous' proteoglycans (PG-II) were little affected by these agents. These results suggested that modulation of the differentiated state of chondrocytes is closely related to not only the synthesis of 'cartilage-specific' proteoglycans but also their monomeric size.