Detection of DNA fragmentation in human breast cancer tissue by an antibody specific to single-stranded DNA

Abstract

While there have been many reports concerning the clinical significance of bcl-2 expression in human breast cancer, little is known about apoptosis in primary breast cancers. We immunohistochemically examined DNA fragmentation in 107 primary human breast cancers from Japanese women using an antibody specific to single-stranded DNA. The apoptosis index calculated as the product of the positive cell number and the cellularity coefficient, ranged from 0 to 48. The average incidence of apoptosis was calculated as 0.1% of tumor cells. No relationships were observed among the apoptosis index, expression of bcl-2, and the histological grade of the tumors. Almost all apoptotic cells were phagocytosed by surrounding tumor cells immediately after DNA fragmentation. Apoptotic body formation was rare. The apoptotic cells seemed to be degraded within phagocytes, leaving no trace of apoptosis except the tiny shells of nuclei. The intensive phagocytic reaction might be one of the main reasons for the low incidence of apoptosis in human breast cancers.

Prognostic use of growth characteristics of early gastric cancer and expression patterns of apoptotic, cell proliferation, and cell adhesion proteins

“…DNA fragmentation may be detected in both histologically defined apoptotic cells and morphologically intact apoptotic cells. The immunohistochemical method involving an antibody specific for ssDNA protein in cells allows accurate assessment of apoptosis [8,9]. The present study showed not only that ssDNA protein expression in both SL and IL of the metastatic group was lower than that of the nonmetastatic group, but also that ssDNA protein expression of both metastatic and nonmetastatic group was lower in IL than in SL.…”

“…In this study, 4-5-mm thick sections on glass slides were stained for apoptosis-related proteins (ssDNA [8,9], bcl-2, and p53), the cell proliferation-related nuclear antigen (Ki-67), and the cell adhesion protein (E-cadherin) using routine methods from the LSAB staining kit (LSAB2 system, DAKO, Carpinteria). In brief, sections were deparaffinized, rehydrated, and then pretreated in methanol with 0.3% hydrogen peroxide for 15 min.…”

Serum Thymic Factor Prevents LPS‐Induced Pancreatic Cell Damage in Mice via Up‐Regulation of Bcl‐2 Expression in Pancreas

“…The ssDNA for producing polyclonal antibody was obtained from the double-strand calf thymus (20,32). Immunohistochemical studies with this Ab may be more specific and sensitive (23) in detecting apoptosis.…”

“…We used anti-ssDNA antibody (Ab) for the detection of apoptotic pancreatic cells (23,28) by immunohistochemistry. To understand FTS function against pancreatic cell damage, FTS was administered twice before LPS administration intraperitoneally.…”

Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A Worsens the Clinical Course of Patients With Pancreatic Cancer Through Inhibition of Apoptosis of Cancer Cells

“…27,28 The ssDNA antibody may be more specific and sensitive for the detection of apoptotic cells than the TdTmediated dUTP nick end labeling method. This method has been demonstrated to be very valuable in the identification of cells undergoing apoptosis during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis.…”