Alteration of stromal protein and integrin expression in breast—a marker of premalignant change?

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Abstract
Interactions between epithelia and the extracellular matrix are important in the medulation of cellular growth, differentiation, and motility. To investigate the possible roles of these interactions in the neoplastic process, this study examines the expression of the integrin subunits α2, α6, β1, and β4 and the stromal protein tenascin in 53 breast carcinomas, non-involved breast tissue from 21 of these cases, and 32 normal/benign cases. Frozen tissue and an indirect immunoperoxidase technique were used throughout. Linear staining in relation to the basement membrane was seen for all integrins in the normal/benign cases. The carcinomas showed complete loss of reactivity in 65 per cent of cases for α2, 80 per cent for α6 and β4, and 90 per cent for β1. Those showing reactivity displayed a diffuse cytoplasmic type of staining. The non-involved breast tissue showed linear basement membrane type staining with α2 and βl, but for α6 and β4 66 per cent of cases displayed reactivity identical to that of the corresponding tumour. For tenascin, band-like staining around ducts was seen in normal/benign cases, with a diffuse coarse reactivity in all carcinomas. Most non-involved cases stained as for normal breast. The altered α6β4 integrin staining in non-involved tissue in cancerous breast may be an early event in the neoplastic process, and as such, may be of use as a marker of pre-malignant change.

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