Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of primary cilia on secretory cells in normal fallopian tube (FT) and serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC). Fallopian tube tissue samples were obtained from 4 females undergoing prophylactic hysterectomies and 6 patients diagnosed with STIC. A mogp-TAg transgenic mouse STIC sample was also compared with a wild-type mouse FT sample. Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma was identified by hematoxylin and eosin staining and confirmed by positive Ki-67 and p53 immunohistochemical staining of tissue sections. We assessed the relative distribution of primary cilia on secretory cells and motile cilia on multiple ciliated cells by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining. Ciliary function was assessed by immunofluorescence staining of specific ciliary marker proteins and responsiveness to Sonic Hedgehog signaling. Primary cilia are widespread on secretory cells in the ampulla, isthmus, and in particular, the fimbriae of human FT where they may appear to mediate ciliary-mediated Sonic Hedgehog signaling. A statistically significant reduction in the number of primary cilia on secretory cells was observed in human STIC samples compared with normal controls (P < 0.0002, Student t test), supported by similar findings in a mouse STIC sample. Immunohistochemical staining for dynein axonemal heavy chain 5 discriminated multiple motile cilia from primary cilia in human FT. Primary cilia are widespread on secretory cells in the ampulla, isthmus, and in particular, the fimbriae of the human FT but are significantly reduced in both human and mouse STIC samples. Immunohistochemical staining for ciliary proteins may have clinical utility for early detection of STIC.
Highlights
Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma tissue samples were obtained from the mogp-TAg transgenic mouse, which develops ovarian high-grade serous cancers (HGSCs) originating from the fallopian tube (FT) and a wild-type mouse control FT sample, as described previously.[25,26]
To investigate if single primary cilia were present, we examined formaldehyde-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) human FT samples from prophylactic hysterectomies by IF staining and confocal microscopy
This revealed that single, primary cilia located on secretory cells had regional specification in the FT, being less abundant toward the infundibulum and more prolific toward the isthmus (Fig. 2B)
Summary
The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of primary cilia on secretory cells in normal fallopian tube (FT) and serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC). We assessed the relative distribution of primary cilia on secretory cells and motile cilia on multiple ciliated cells by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining. Results: Primary cilia are widespread on secretory cells in the ampulla, isthmus, and in particular, the fimbriae of human FT where they may appear to mediate ciliary-mediated Sonic Hedgehog signaling. A statistically significant reduction in the number of primary cilia on secretory cells was observed in human STIC samples compared with normal controls (P G 0.0002, Student t test), supported by similar findings in a mouse STIC sample. Conclusions: Primary cilia are widespread on secretory cells in the ampulla, isthmus, and in particular, the fimbriae of the human FT but are significantly reduced in both human and mouse STIC samples. Immunohistochemical staining for ciliary proteins may have clinical utility for early detection of STIC
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
