This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Veit, A. C. Articles by Dixon, D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Veit, A. C. Articles by Dixon, D. Social Bookmarking                            What's this?

Characterization of Uterine Granular Cell Tumors in B6C3F1 Mice: A Histomorphologic, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study

Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc. (ACV, JTP, RAM, JFH); and Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Research Triangle Park, NC (ACV, DD)

Abstract

The granular cell tumor is most often a benign neoplasm of uncertain origin. Four uterine granular cell tumors in control and treated female B6C3F1 mice were identified in chronic studies at the National Toxicology Program. Two tumors occurred in untreated control animals and 2 in treated animals receiving different compounds. Tissue sections were evaluated histologically and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid–Schiff with diastase resistance, Masson's trichrome, toluidine blue, phosphotungstic acid–hematoxylin, and stained immunohistochemically with a panel of antibodies to muscle (desmin, alpha smooth muscle actin), neural (S-100, neuron specific enolase), epithelial (wide-spectrum cytokeratin), and macrophage (F4/80) markers. The main histomorphologic feature of tumor cells was the presence of abundant cytoplasmic eosinophilic granules that stained positive for periodic acid–Schiff with diastase resistance. Tumors varied in appearance and were comprised of sheets and nests of round to polygonal cells with distinct borders. Nuclei were hyperchromatic, pleomorphic, and centrally to eccentrically located and often contained single nucleoli. Occasional multinucleated giant cells were observed. Tumors were pale pink and homogeneous with trichrome stain and negative with toluidine blue. Three tumors had positive to weakly positive immunoreactivity for desmin, and 1 was positive for alpha smooth muscle actin. Expression of S-100, wide-spectrum cytokeratin, and neuron-specific enolase was negative for all tumors. Ultrastructurally, prominent electron-dense cytoplasmic granules were abundant and contained secondary lysosomes with heterogeneous lysosomal contents. The characteristics of these uterine granular cell tumors were suggestive of a myogenic origin.

Key words: B6C3F1 mouse; cytoplasmic granules; granular cell tumor; immunohistochemistry; secondary lysosomes; ultrastructure; uterus.

Request reprints from Dr. D Dixon, Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, PO Box 12233, MD C2-09, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Bldg. 101, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (USA). E-mail: dixon{at}niehs.nih.gov

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Facebook    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. A. Picut, C. L. Swanson, R. F. Parker, K. L. Scully, and G. A. Parker The Metrial Gland in the Rat and Its Similarities to Granular Cell Tumors Toxicol Pathol, June 1, 2009; 37(4): 474 - 480. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]