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Cell Origin (cell + origin)
Kinds of Cell Origin Selected AbstractsExploring the mast cell enigma: a personal reflection of what remains to be doneEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Beate M. Henz Abstract: Mast cells are traditionally viewed as effector cells of allergic reactions and parasitic diseases, but their importance in host defense against bacteria, in tissue remodelling, their bone marrow and stem cell origin and a central role of the stem cell factor (SCF) as mast cell growth and chemotactic factor has been worked out only in recent years. Despite this, major aspects about the nature of the cells and their role in disease remain unclear. This holds in particular for the identification of mast cell precursors and the role of growth factors that stimulate specific mast cell commitment from stem cells, such as nerve growth factor, neutrotrophin-3 and certain interleukins, alone and during interaction with SCF. Early data suggesting also an involvement of specific transcription factors need to be expanded in this process. Furthermore, although mast cell proliferative disease (mastocytosis) has been shown to be often associated with SCF receptor c-kit mutations, reasons for the development of this disease remain unclear. This holds also for mast cell release mechanisms in many types of mast cell-dependent urticaria. Exciting new insights are emerging regarding the role of mast cells in bacterial infections, in defense against tumors, in wound healing and in the interplay with the nervous system, with hormones, and in the neurohormonal network. The aim of this reflection is to delineate the many known and unknown aspects of mast cells, with a special focus on their development, and to discuss in detail two mast cell-related diseases, namely mastocytosis and urticaria. [source] Biomarker-assisted diagnosis of ovarian, cervical and pulmonary small cell carcinomas: the role of TTF-1, WT-1 and HPV analysisHISTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2007J W Carlson Aims:, Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcaemic-type (SCCOH) is morphologically similar to small cell carcinomas from other sites. The aims of this study were to (i) determine if a biomarker panel would distinguish small cell carcinomas of the ovary, cervix (SCCCx) and lung (SCCLu) and (ii) potentially determine the histogenesis of SCCOH. Methods and results:, Nine ovarian small cell carcinomas (seven hypercalcaemic type; two pulmonary type), eight SCCCx and 22 SCCLu were immunostained for thyroid transcription factor (TTF)-1, WT-1, p16, cKIT and OCT3/4; a subset of cases were tested for human papillomavirus (HPV). WT-1 was diffusely positive in 6/7 SSCOH versus two of 33 other small cell carcinomas (P , 0.001). TTF-1 was diffusely positive in 20/22 SCCLu and 1/8 SCCCx, and negative in all SCCOH. p16 and cKIT demonstrated variable patterns of immunoreactivity in all cases. HPV was identified in 5/6 SCCCx; SCCOH and SCCLu were negative for HPV. Conclusions:, Combined staining with WT-1 and TTF-1 will distinguish SCCOH from SCCLu and SCCCx with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 97%. HPV is specific for tumours of cervical origin, but p16 immunohistochemistry is not useful for this purpose. The presence of diffuse WT-1 supports a Müllerian origin for SCCOH, whereas the absence of cKIT and OCT3/4 argues against a germ cell origin. [source] Extramammary Paget's disease,a proliferation of adnexal origin?HISTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2006S Regauer Aim :,To investigate a possible follicular origin of extramammary Paget's disease (EPD). EPD is a predominantly intraepidermal tumour with extensive involvement of adnexal structures and high recurrence rates suggesting a follicular stem cell origin. Cytokeratin (CK) 15 and CK19 are considered markers for follicular stem cells located in the hair follicle bulge region. Methods and results :,Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of 12 cases of primary EPD (three anal, nine vulvar) were studied immunohistochemically with antibodies to CK15 and CK19. All cases of EPD showed polygonal Paget cells in the interfollicular epidermis, hair follicles, sebaceous and apocrine glands distributed individually, in nests and in gland-like areas. The polygonal Paget cells were intimately associated with small, flat, mitotically active, ,compressed' keratinocytes. The large Paget cells uniformly expressed CK19 in 12/12 EPD. The small ,compressed' keratinocytes showed strong cytoplasmic CK15 staining in 9/12 EPD with focal accentuation, while the polygonal Paget cells were negative. Conclusions :,These histological and immunohistochemical observations allow the following conclusions: (i) the small, flat, ,compressed' keratinocytes are an integral part of EPD; (ii) the dual cell population is reminiscent of sebaceous glands with mature sebocytes and germinative keratinocytes; (iii) since both cell types express cytokeratins typical for follicular differentiation, EPD may be a proliferation of adnexal stem cells residing in the infundibulo-sebaceous unit of hair follicles and adnexal structures. [source] JKT-1 is not a human seminoma cell lineINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 4 2007Jeroen de Jong Summary The JKT-1 cell line has been used in multiple independent studies as a representative model of human testicular seminoma. However, no cell line for this specific tumour type has been independently confirmed previously; and therefore, the seminomatous origin of JKT-1 must be proven. The genetic constitution of the JKT-1 cells was determined using flow cytometry and spectral karyotyping, as well as array comparative genomic hybridization and fluorescent in situ hybridization. Marker profiling, predominantly based on differentially expressed proteins during normal germ cell development, was performed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. Moreover, genome wide affymetrix mRNA expression and profiling of 157 microRNAs was performed, and the status of genomic imprinting was determined. A germ cell origin of the JKT-1 cells was in line with genomic imprinting status and marker profile (including positive staining for several cancer-testis antigens). However, the supposed primary tumour, from which the cell line was derived, being indeed a classical seminoma, was molecularly proven not to be the origin of the cell line. The characteristic chromosomal anomalies of seminoma, e.g. gain of the short arm of chromosome 12, as well as the informative marker profile (positive staining for OCT3/4, NANOG, among others) were absent in the various JKT-1 cell lines investigated, irrespective of where the cells were cultured. All results indicate that the JKT-1 cell line is not representative of human seminoma. Although it can originate from an early germ cell, a non-germ cell derivation cannot be excluded. [source] Isolation of epithelial stem cells from dermis by a three-dimensional culture system,JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2006Reinhold J. Medina Abstract Skin is a representative self-renewing tissue containing stem cells. Although many attempts have been made to define and isolate skin-derived stem cells, establishment of a simple and reliable isolation procedure remains a goal to be achieved. Here, we report the isolation of cells having stem cell properties from mouse embryonic skin using a simple selection method based on an assumption that stem cells may grow in an anchorage-independent manner. We inoculated single cell suspensions prepared from mouse embryonic dermis into a temperature-sensitive gel and propagated the resulting colonies in a monolayer culture. The cells named dermis-derived epithelial progenitor-1 (DEEP) showed epithelial morphology and grew rapidly to a more than 200 population doubling level over a period of 250 days. When the cells were kept confluent, they spontaneously formed spheroids and continuously grew even in spheroids. Immunostaining revealed that all of the clones were positive for the expression of cytokeratin-8, ,18, ,19, and E-cadherin and negative for the expression of cytokeratin-1, ,5, ,6, ,14, ,20, vimentin, nestin, a ckit. Furthermore, they expressed epithelial stem cell markers such as p63, integrin ,1, and S100A6. On exposure to TGF, in culture, some of DEEP-1 cells expressed ,-smooth muscle actin. When the cells were transplanted into various organs of adult SCID mice, a part of the inoculated cell population acquired neural, hepatic, and renal cell properties. These results indicate that the cells we isolated were of epithelial stem cell origin and that our new approach is useful for isolation of multipotent stem cells from skin tissues. J. Cell. Biochem. 98: 174,184, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Single cell PCR from archival stained bone marrow slides: A method for molecular diagnosis and characterizationJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2004Stefanie Zanssen Abstract Molecular analysis of isolated single cells is a powerful tool for clarifying issues of cell origin and clonality. Previous reports have described PCR amplifications from total DNA and RNA extracted from archival bone marrow and peripheral blood smears and have also shown the feasibility of amplifications from single cells, microdissected from stained histological sections. In this study, a method is described for performing PCR from morphologically defined single cells isolated from archival May-Gruenwald-Giemsa-stained bone-marrow and blood smears. Using three DNA extraction procedures, the organic lysis showed reproducible high efficiencies of amplifications. With this method, we were able to amplify long range amplicons up to 14.5 kb from mitochondrial DNA as well as PCR products of conventional length. The usability of such products for molecular diagnosis is demonstrated by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)characterization of a mitochondrial disorder. In conclusion, this method has the power to perform molecular diagnosis and characterization of diseases on the single cell level, and should provide valuable information to aid disease treatment and prognosis of hematological disorders. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:176,181, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Granular cell tumor of the oral cavity: updated immunohistochemical profileJOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE, Issue 1 2009Marilena Vered Background:, Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a benign lesion that occurs at different body sites with preponderance to the oral cavity. It is generally believed to be of schwann cell/neural cell origin. We used a large panel of both traditional and recently developed antibodies in an attempt to trace the origin of GCTs on the basis of their immunoprofile. Methods:, The patients' demographic data and the cytological and architectural features of the lesions were analyzed in a large series of oral GCTs (n = 68). Forty-two lesions were also submitted to a panel of immunohistochemical stains with antibodies against S-100, CD-68 (KP-1 and PG-M1), vimentin, calretinin, NKI/C3, PGP9.5, p75/NGFR and inhibin-,. Results:, The tongue was the most common location of oral GCTs (81%). The granular cells demonstrated a wide array of cytological features in terms of cell shape and position of the nucleus. In addition, the lesions showed different architectural patterns, including ,infiltration' with satellite nodules. Interestingly, no recurrences were reported, even in lesions that were not completely excised. Granular cells were usually found to be strongly and diffusely positive for p75, vimentin, calretinin and NKI/C3, inhibin-,, PGP9.5, and S-100. Conclusions:, Immunoreactivity of the granular cells to a broad panel of antibodies that characterize different tissues does not confirm any particular cell type for the histogenetic origin of GCTs. Furthermore, GCTs could be regarded as lesions that reflect a local metabolic or reactive change rather than a true neoplasm. [source] Expression of chromogranin/secretogranin mRNA in spontaneous mammary tumors in aging Fischer-344 ratsPATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2001Shinobu Umemura There is a type of human breast cancer showing a neuroendocrine differentiation. Little is known, however, about the cell origin of this cancer or the process by which it expresses neuroendocrine features. Rat mammary tumors, either spontaneous or induced, have not been subjects for the investigation of aspects regarding the neuroendocrine differentiation of mammary epithelial cells. The aim of the present study was to show the potential of rat mammary tumors for expressing chromogranin (Cg)/secretogranin (Sg) mRNA. We examined CgA, SgI and SgII mRNA expression by reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction in rat mammary adenocarcinoma and fibroadenoma which had arisen spontaneously in aging Fischer-344 rats. CgA and SgII mRNA were expressed in both mammary tumors, but SgI mRNA was not detected in either. The results of the present study show that rat mammary tumors can express chromogranin genes. [source] Histopathological characterization of aortic intimal sarcoma with multiple tumor emboliPATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 11 2000Naoki Nishida A case of aortic intimal sarcoma with multiple tumor emboli and distal metastasis is reported. All metastasis (adrenal, spleen) were via the arteries. This case also had independent lung cancer. Macroscopically, the aortic tumor did not form a bulged mass, but had linear ulceration with abundant mural thrombi. Poorly cohesive large atypical cells were seen in the intima of the abdominal aorta without invasion into the media. Tumor cells were disseminated into the mural thrombi on the aorta and embolized its branches. In the metastatic tumor or tumor emboli of the distal artery, there were not only large atypical cells, but also the foci of spindle-shaped cells or epithelioid differentiation. Tumor cells in the aorta were immunohistochemically positive for only vimentin. Muscle-specific actin was positive focally for spindle-shaped cells of tumor emboli and metastatic tumors. Furthermore, cytokeratin-positive cells were scatteredly seen. All tumor cells were negative for factor VIII and did not have a histologic or phenotypic analogy with lung cancer. The primary intimal sarcoma in the present case was of undifferentiated non-endothelial intimal stromal cell origin, and may have had multipotential for differentiation. Investigation of the metastatic site was useful for recognizing the features of this tumor. [source] OCT4: biological functions and clinical applications as a marker of germ cell neoplasiaTHE JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2007L Cheng Abstract Germ cell tumours (GCTs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, which develop in the gonads as well as in extragonadal sites, that share morphological patterns and an overall good prognosis, owing to their responsiveness to current surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiotherapeutic measures. GCTs demonstrate extremely interesting biological features because of their close relationships with normal embryonal development as demonstrated by the pluripotentiality of some undifferentiated GCT variants. The similarities between GCTs and normal germ cell development have made it possible to identify possible pathogenetic pathways in neoplastic transformation and progression of GCTs. Genotypic and immunophenotypic profiles of these tumours are also useful in establishing and narrowing the differential diagnosis in cases of suspected GCTs. Recently, OCT4 (also known as OCT3 or POU5F1), a transcription factor that has been recognized as fundamental in the maintenance of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and primordial germ cells, has been proposed as a useful marker for GCTs that exhibit features of pluripotentiality, specifically seminoma/dysgerminoma/germinoma and embryonal carcinoma. The development of commercially available OCT4-specific antibodies suitable for immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded specimens has generated increasing numbers of reports of OCT4 expression in a wide variety of gonadal and extragonadal GCTs. OCT4 immunostaining has been shown to be a sensitive and specific marker for seminomatous/(dys)germinomatous tumours and in embryonal carcinoma variants of non-seminomatous GCTs, whether in primary gonadal or extragonadal sites or in metastatic lesions. Therefore, OCT4 immunohistochemistry is an additional helpful marker both in the differential diagnosis of specific histological subtypes of GCTs and in establishing a germ cell origin for some metastatic tumours of uncertain primary. OCT4 expression has also been reported in pre-invasive conditions such as intratubular germ cell neoplasia, unclassified (IGCNU) and the germ cell component of gonadoblastoma. Additionally, OCT4 immunostaining shows promise as a useful tool in managing patients known to be at high risk for the development of invasive GCTs. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Mapping pro- and antiangiogenic factors on the surface of prostasomes of normal and malignant cell originTHE PROSTATE, Issue 8 2010Adil A. Babiker Abstract BACKGROUND Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels by capillary sprouting from pre-existing vessels. Tumor growth is angiogenesis-dependent and the formation of new blood vessels is associated with the increased expression of angiogenic factors. Prostasomes are secretory granules produced, stored and released by the glandular epithelial cells of the prostate. We investigated the expression of selected angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors on the surface of prostasomes of different origins as well as the direct effect of prostasomes on angiogenesis. METHODS VEGF, endothelin-1, endostatin, and thrombospondin-1 were determined on prostasomes from seminal fluid and human prostate cancer cell lines (DU145,PC-3,LNCaP) using different immunochemical techniques. Human dermal microvascular endothelial cells were incubated with seminal and DU145 cell-prostasomes and with radioactive thymidine. The effect of prostasomes on angiogenesis was judged by measuring the uptake of labeled thymidine. The presence of any deleterious effects of prostasomes on the endothelial cells was investigated using thymidine assay and confocal laser microscopy. RESULTS VEGF and endothelin-1 were determined on malignant cell-prostasomes (no difference between cell lines) but not determined on seminal prostasomes. The same applies for the expression of endostatin but with much higher expression on malignant cell-prostasomes with obvious differences between them. Seminal and DU145 cell-prostasomes were found to have anti-angiogenic effect which was more expressed by DU145 cell-prostasomes. No deleterious effect of prostasomes on endothelial function was detected using either thymidine assay or microscopy. CONCLUSIONS Prostasomes contain pro- and anti-angiogenic factors that function to counteract each other unless the impact from one side exceeds the other to bring about dysequilibrium. Prostate 70: 834,847, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) is associated with prostatic growth dysregulation and benign prostatic hyperplasiaTHE PROSTATE, Issue 5 2010Kazutoshi Fujita Abstract BACKGROUND Chronic inflammation is commonly observed in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate tissue often contains increased inflammatory infiltrates, including T cells and macrophages. Cytokines are not only key mediators of inflammation but may also play important roles in the initiation and progression of BPH. METHODS In order to determine what cytokines might be involved in prostatic enlargement, expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) from ex vivo prostates were analyzed by human cytokine antibody microarray and ELISA. Prostate epithelial cells (PrEC) and prostate stromal cells (PrSC) were used for ELISA, proliferation, and Western blot assays. RESULTS Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) was one of the most elevated proteins in secretions from large prostate glands. PrSC were found to secrete MCP-1; Western blotting showed that both PrSC and PrEC express the MCP-1 receptor CCR2 which by RT-PCR was the CCR2b isoform. Proliferation assays showed that MCP-1 stimulates the proliferation of PrEC, but not PrSC, and that a specific MCP-1 antagonist (RS102895) suppressed this effect. Conditioned medium from PrSC stimulated the proliferation of PrEC as well, an effect completely inhibited by both RS102895 and a neutralizing anti-MCP-1 monoclonal antibody. The inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1,, interferon-,, and IL-2 enhanced the secretion of MCP-1 from PrEC and PrSC. In addition, MCP-1 levels in EPS correlated with mRNA levels of the macrophage marker CD68 in the same secretions. CONCLUSIONS The cytokine MCP-1, of apparent prostatic stromal cell origin, may play an important role in prostatic enlargement and BPH, and is a candidate biomarker for these pathologic processes. Prostate 70: 473,481, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Bcl-2, Bcl-6 and CD10 expression in cutaneous B-cell lymphoma: further support for a follicle centre cell origin and differential diagnostic significanceBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2003J.J. Hoefnagel Summary Background Primary cutaneous follicle centre cell lymphomas (PCFCCLs) are the most common type of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma. There is ongoing discussion on the origin of the neoplastic B cells in these PCFCCLs, and consequently on their relation to the groups of primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphomas (PCMZLs) and nodal follicular lymphomas. Objectives To define better the neoplastic B cells in PCFCCLs, and to find out if differences in the expression of the antiapoptopic protein Bcl-2, and Bcl-6 and CD10, molecules which are normally expressed by the neoplastic B cells in nodal follicular lymphomas, might have diagnostic or prognostic significance in cutaneous B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. Methods Pretreatment biopsies of well-defined groups of PCFCCL (n = 24), PCMZL (n = 14), primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphoma of the leg (PCLBCL-leg; n = 19), secondary cutaneous follicular lymphoma (n = 3) and cutaneous pseudo-B-cell lymphoma (n = 6) were investigated by immunohistochemistry for expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-6 and CD10. Results The PCFCCLs consistently expressed Bcl-6, whereas CD10 and Bcl-2 were expressed in only one and two of 24 cases, respectively. In contrast, PCMZLs were always negative for Bcl-6 and CD10, but were Bcl-2 positive, whereas skin and lymph node localizations of secondary cutaneous follicular lymphomas consistently expressed all of Bcl-2, Bcl-6 and CD10. Reactive follicle centre cells in pseudo-B-cell lymphomas expressed Bcl-6 (six of six cases) and CD10 (five of six cases), but not Bcl-2. PCLBCL-leg was Bcl-6 positive and CD10 negative in all cases, irrespective of clinical outcome, and strongly expressed Bcl-2 protein in all but two cases. Conclusions The results of the present study provide further support for the follicle centre cell origin of both PCFCCL and PCLBCL-leg, and indicate that staining for Bcl-2, Bcl-6 and CD10 can serve as an important adjunct in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. [source] Multicentre study comparing aggressive behaviour of familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma and sporadic thyroid cancerBRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 9 2000O. Alsanea Background Familial non-medullary thyroid cancer represents about 5 per cent of all thyroid cancers of follicular cell origin. Whether familial non-medullary thyroid cancer is more aggressive than sporadic thyroid cancer is controversial. Methods Each patient with familial non-medullary thyroid cancer was matched with three controls for age, sex and tumour node metastasis (TNM) stage of disease. Possible prognostic factors were compared in relation to recurrence, metastases and mortality rate in both groups. Univariate analysis was performed using contingency table analysis and McNemar's ,2 test for paired measurements. Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate factors significant in univariate analysis. Results Forty-eight cases (ten men) and 144 matched controls (30 men) were analysed with a mean follow-up of 102 and 94 months respectively. The mean age was 39 years for cases and 46 years for controls. Some 29 per cent of the cases and 12 per cent of the controls had history of prior or coexistent benign thyroid disease (P < 0·05). Ninety-four per cent of cases and 90 per cent of controls had papillary cancers; the remainder were Hurthle cell cancers. Based on TNM staging, there were 66 per cent stage I, 21 per cent stage II and 13 per cent stage III tumours in the familial non-medullary thyroid cancer group; the distribution was similar in the control group. Modified radical neck dissection was performed in 42 per cent of cases and 22 per cent of controls. Multifocal or bilateral disease was seen in 75 per cent of cases and 41 per cent of controls (P < 0·05); 35 per cent of cases and 16 per cent of controls had at least one recurrence (P < 0·05). Ten per cent of cases and 2 per cent of controls developed distant metastases (P < 0·05). Six per cent of cases but no controls died from thyroid cancer (P < 0·05). In patients with familial non-medullary thyroid cancer aged over 45 years (n = 14), distant metastases affected four, of whom three died. In multivariate analysis, age was the only significant variable that affected the disease outcome (P < 0·01). Conclusion Familial non-medullary thyroid cancer is more aggressive than sporadic thyroid cancer and is associated with increased recurrence, metastasis and death, especially in patients over 45 years of age. © 2000 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source] Human embryonic stem cell genes OCT4, NANOG, STELLAR, and GDF3 are expressed in both seminoma and breast carcinomaCANCER, Issue 10 2005Uche I. Ezeh M.D. Abstract BACKGROUND The seminoma class of testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) are characterized by a morphological resemblance to primordial germ cells (PGCs) or gonocytes, and chromosome duplications at 12p. Recently, it was determined that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) express genes in common with PGCs, and that three of these genes, GDF3, STELLAR, and NANOG, are located on 12p. The current study was designed to identify whether expression of these 12p genes were elevated in seminoma relative to normal testis, and to determine whether elevated expression was unique to seminoma. METHODS Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to assess gene expression in seminoma samples relative to normal testis and endpoint PCR was used to identify the presence or absence of these genes in breast carcinoma. RESULTS GDF3 expression was increased in eight of nine seminomas compared with normal testis, whereas NANOG, OCT4, or both were expressed at the highest levels in seminoma compared with all other markers analyzed. In addition, the NANOG protein was expressed in the majority of seminoma cells. The adult meiotic germ cell markers BOULE and TEKT1 were undetectable in seminoma, whereas the embryonic and adult germ cell markers DAZL and VASA were significantly reduced. Analysis of these markers in breast carcinoma and the MCF7 breast carcinoma cell line revealed that a core hESC-transcriptional profile could be identified consisting of OCT4, NANOG, STELLAR, and GDF3 and that NANOG protein could be detected in breast carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS These observations suggest that seminoma and breast carcinoma express a common stem cell profile and that the expression of DAZL and VASA in seminoma mark the germ cell origin of seminoma that is absent in breast carcinoma. Our findings suggest that stem cell genes may either play a direct role in different types of carcinoma progression or serve as valuable markers of tumorigenesis. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||