Skip to main content

Basal clear cells of the normal human breast

Virchows Archiv A volume 402, pages 319–329 (1984)Cite this article

Summary

The ductal system of the human breast consists of two major cell types: epithelial and myoepithelial. In some reports a third cell type, given various names is mentioned. In this study it is called a basal clear cell. The role of this cell, unlike that of the epithelial and myoepithelial cells, remains unclear, although it has been suggested that it may have a stem cell function. We illustrate here that there is an ultrastructural transition between the basal clear and myoepithelial cell; suggesting that it acts as a precursor of the myoepithelial cell, and may not be a stem cell for both epithelial and myoepithelial cells.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Ahmed A (1980) Ultrastructural aspects of human breast lesions. Pathol Annu 15:411–443

    Google Scholar 

  • Bässler R (1958) Beiträge zur Morphologie der kindlichen Brustdrüse. Frankfurt Z Pathol 69:37–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett DC (1980) Morphogenesis of branching tubules in cultures of cloned mammary epithelial cells. Nature 285:657–659

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett DC, Peachey LA, Durbin H, Rudland PS (1978) A possible mammary stem cell line. Cell 15:283–298

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter D, Yardley JH, Shelley WM (1969) Lobular carcinoma of the breast. An ultrastructural comparison with certain duct carcinomas and benign lesions. John Hopk Med J 125:25–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Doerr W, Seifert G, Uehlinger E (1978) Spezielle Pathologische Anatomie. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York Band 11 pp 28–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Fanger H, Ree HJ (1974) Cyclic changes of human mammary gland epithelium in relation to the menstrual cycle - an ultrastructural study. Cancer 34:574–585

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher ER (1976) Ultrastructure of the human breast and its disorders. Am J Clin Pathol 66:291–375

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster CS, Smith CA, Dinsdale EA, Monaghan P, Neville AM (1983) Human mammary gland morphogenesis in vitro: The growth and differentiation of normal breast epithelium in collagen gel cultures defined by electron microscopy, monoclonal antibodies, and autoradiography. Develop Biol 96:197–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamperl H (1970) The myothelia (myoepithelial cells): Normal state, regressive changes, hyperplasia and tumours. Curr Topics Pathol 53:162–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Mollenhauer HH (1964) Plastic embedding mixture for use in electron microscopy. Stain Technol 39:111–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Murad TM, Grieder MH, Scarpelli DG (1967) The ultrastructure of human mammary fibroadenoma. Am J Pathol 51:663–679

    Google Scholar 

  • Murad TM, Von Haam E (1968) The ultrastructure of fibrocystic disease of the breast. Cancer 22:587–600

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozzello L (1971) Ultrastructure of the human mammary gland. Pathol Annu 6:1–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Radnor CJP (1972a) Myoepithelium in the prelactating and lactating mammary glands of the rat. J Anat 112:337–353

    Google Scholar 

  • Radnor CJP (1972b) Myoepithelial cell differentiation in rat mammary glands. J Anat 111:381–398

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynold ES (1963) The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J Cell Biol 17:208–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudland PS, Ormerod EJ, Paterson F (1980) Stem cells in rat mammary gland development and cancer, a review. J Roy Soc Med 73:437–442

    Google Scholar 

  • Russo IH, Russo J (1978) Developmental stage of the rat mammary gland determinant of its susceptibility to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. J Natl Cancer Inst 61:1439–1449

    Google Scholar 

  • Salazar H, Tobon H (1974) Morphologic changes of the mammary gland during development, pregnancy and lactation. In: Josimovich JB (ed) Lactogenic hormones, fetal nutrition and lactation. John Wiley and Sons, New York pp 221–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Stempak JG, Ward RT (1964) An improved staining method for electron microscopy. J Cell Biol 22:697–701

    Google Scholar 

  • Stirling JW, Chandler JA (1976) The fine structure of the normal resting terminal ductal-lobular unit of the female breast. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 372:205–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Stirling JW, Chandler JA (1977) The fine structure of ducts and subareolar ducts in the resting gland of the female breast. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 373:119–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Sykes JA, Recher L, Jernstrom PH, Whitescarver J (1968) Morphological investigation of human breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 40:195–223

    Google Scholar 

  • Tannenbaum M, Weiss M, Marx AJ (1969) Ultrastructure of the human mammary ductule. Cancer 23:958–978

    Google Scholar 

  • Tobon H, Salazar H (1974) Ultrastructure of the human mammary gland I. Development of the fetal gland throughout gestation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 39:443–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Toker C (1967) Observations on the ultrastructure of a mammary ductule. J Ultrastruct Res 21:9–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Waugh D, Van Der Hoeven E (1962) Fine structure of the human adult female breast. Lab Invest 11:220–228

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Clifton Avenue, SM2 5PX, Surrey, Sutton, Great Britain

    Caroline A. Smith, Paul Monaghan & A. Munro Neville

Authors
  1. Caroline A. Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul Monaghan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Munro Neville
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Smith, C.A., Monaghan, P. & Munro Neville, A. Basal clear cells of the normal human breast. Vichows Archiv A Pathol Anat 402, 319–329 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00695085

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00695085

Key words

  • Normal Human Breast
  • Ultrastructure Basal Clear Cells