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Published in Cancer Detection and Prevention 2000; 24(Supplement 1). Ultrastructural evidence of neutrophil-mediated tumor cell apoptosis in a gastric carcinomaDept Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy, RosarioCaruso@tin.itAIM: Although numerous experimental studies have demonstrated a neutrophil mediated tumor cell cytolysis, little is known about the precise mechanisms involved. One case of intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma with extensive neutrophil infiltration is presented , focusing on the relationship between neutrophils and tumor cells and on the nature of tumor cell death. METHODS: Tumor tissue was obtained in the operating room for immediate fixation and processed for both light and electron microscopic observations. RESULTS: At light microscopy , neutrophils , single or in clusters , were present both in the stroma and within neoplastic glands . Interepithelial migration of neutrophils frequently occurred , and the adjacent adenocarcinoma cells showed signs of single cell death such as shrinkage , condensed hyperchromatic chromatin , eosinophilic cytoplasm . This individual cell death could progress to focal destruction of epithelial layer of neoplastic glands and , finally , to neutrophil satellitosis around a few dying or death adenocarcinoma cells. Electron microscopy is an essential technique , not only for investigation of cell interaction , but also to distinguish intact cells from apoptotic or necrotic ones. Tumor cells in intimate contact with neutrophils showed ultrastructural signs of apoptosis such as nuclear and cytoplasmic condensation , chromatin segregation into light and dark areas , dilatation of nuclear envelope and endoplasmic reticulum .The adenocarcinoma cells , not contacted by neutrophils , remained morphologically well preserved. CONCLUSIONS-, Adenocarcinoma cell apoptosis might occur in areas of interepithelial migration of neutrophils. We suggest that neutrophils might play an important role in regulation of gastric adenocarcinoma cell growth and death in vivo. KEY WORDS: Gastric adenocarcinoma , neutrophil infiltration , tumor cell apoptosis, electron microscopy. For more information, contact RosarioCaruso@tin.it Paper presented at the International Symposium on Impact of Biotechnology on Cancer Diagnostic & Prognostic Indicators; Geneva, Switzerland; October 28 - 31, 2000; in the section on molecular basis of histopathology. |
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