ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Distinct expression patterns of ER and ERß in normal human mammary gland

V Speirs¹, G P Skliris¹, S E Burdall¹ and P J Carder²

¹ Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
² Histopathology Department, St James's University Hospital

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr V Speirs, Molecular Medicine Unit, Clinical Sciences Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK;
v.speirs{at}leeds.ac.uk

Aim: Two oestrogen receptors (ERs) have been identified to date—the "classic" ER and the more recently described ERß. Although much is known about ER at the mRNA and protein levels, our knowledge of the expression and distribution of ERß protein is much more limited. The aim of this study was to compare the cellular distribution of ER and ERß in normal human mammary gland.

Methods: Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded material was obtained from reduction mammoplasty specimens, normal tissue adjacent to breast tumour, or fibroadenoma. Sections were immunohistochemically stained for ER, ERß, and the progesterone receptor. The staining pattern for each antibody was evaluated and compared.

Results: ER was restricted to the cell nuclei of epithelial cells lining ducts and lobules. Although ERß was also seen in these cells, additional strong staining was detected specifically in the cell nuclei of myoepithelial cells. Occasional staining was seen in surrounding stromal and endothelial cell nuclei and in lymphocytes.

Conclusions: ER subtypes have distinct distribution patterns in the normal mammary gland. The widespread distribution of ERß suggests that it may be the dominant ER in the mammary gland where it may be acting as a natural suppressor.

Keywords: oestrogen receptors; mammary gland

Abbreviations: ER, oestrogen receptor; PR, progesterone receptor; RT-PCR, reverse transcription polymerase reaction

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