TGF-beta-stimulated clone-22 (TSC-22) was reported to be a differentiation-inducing factor which negatively regulates the growth of salivary gland cancer cells. In the present study, we examined the expression of TSC-22 in salivary gland tumors by immunohistochemistry. In pleomorphic adenoma (PA), most of the sparse myoepithelial-like tumor cells, which are considered as the differentiated cell...

In the mammary gland, cell-cell contacts influence epithelial morphogenesis during the formation of ducts and alveoli. Desmosomes are adhesive intercellular junctions that are widespread in epithelia and other tissues. Although the components of desmosomes have been characterised at the molecular level, their precise function in epithelial organisation and morphogenesis has not been determined....

Metaplastic breast cancer is a rare subtype of breast cancer that is histologically heterogeneous, being composed of both sarcomatous and epithelial components. It presents as rapidly growing palpable masses. Incidence of nodal metastasis is low, as compared to intraductal carcinoma, but it has a high metastatic potential and more chances of local recurrence. Many different pathological classif...

The concept of dedifferentiation had previously been used in salivary gland carcinomas. Recently, the term "high-grade transformation" was introduced for adenoid cystic carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma and may better reflect this phenomenon, although transformation into moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (i.e.,...

The mammary gland is a unique organ that continually undergoes postnatal developmental changes. In mice, the mammary gland is formed via signals from terminal end buds, which direct ductal growth and elongation. Intriguingly, it is likely that the entire cellular repertoire of the mammary gland is formed from a single antecedent cell. Furthermore, in order to produce progeny of varied lineages ...

Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma is a low-grade neoplasm of the minor salivary gland composed exclusively of epithelial cells and not myoepithelial cells. It predominantly affects the oral cavity of adult females. It is microscopically characterized by hyalinizing stroma and clear cells, which are typically positive for cytokeratin markers and negative for S 100 and smooth muscle actin (SMA). C...