The ?transitional? mucosa adjacent to large bowel carcinoma?electron microscopic features and myofibroblast reaction

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Abstract
An EM study of the transitional mucosa adjacent to 10 carcinomas of the human colon showed impaired maturation of epithelial cells. The pericryptal fibroblast layer was absent, accounting for an increase in the length and distension of crypts. In the tunica propria a massive accumulation of myofibroblasts was noted and was indicative of an intensive fiber-producing activity. Review of the literature identifies various theories concerning the functions of myofibroblasts with respect to contraction, embryonal collagen-fiber formation and non-specific stromal reaction. The latter 2 are considered likely in relationship to transitional colonic mucosa.