THE BASEMENT MEMBRANE OF THE UTERINE CERVIX IN DYSPLASIA AND SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA: AN IMMUNOFLUORESCENT STUDY WITH ANTIBODIES TO BASEMENT MEMBRANE ANTIGEN

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Abstract
Histological preparations with normal epithelium, dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and squamous invasive carcinoma of the human cervix were studied by immunofluorescence using human sera containing antibodies against basement membrane material, intercellular substance of squamous epithelium (ISSE) and reticulin. A continuous basement membrane was observed in normal epithelium, dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, but was faintly stained, discontinuous or even absent in specimens with invasive squamous carcinoma. Staining with antireticulin did not reveal any condensation in the basement membrane areas in any of the preparations examined. ISSE was demonstrated in the normal epithelium, dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, as well as in invasive carcinoma.