Morphologic Studies Of Natural Human Ovarian Surface Epithelial Cell

OBJECTIVE: The human ovarian surface epithelium (HOSE) is the putative source of ovarian epithelial cancer, the most lethal gynecologic malignancy that affects women in our country. The current study was designed to provide a database of normal HOSE cell features for diagnostic and research applications.METHODS: HOSE cell was harvested from 10 women undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy for benign gynecologic disorders, infertility problems. Cells were harvested with a sterile brush inserted through a laparoscopic port or with a sterile cell scraper at laparotomy.RESULTS: Representative HOSE brushings yielded a mean of 23,000 cells per patient (range, 4250～64,500 cells), equivalent to an estimated 0.58, 0.46, and 0.14μg of nuclear protein, cell RNA, and nuclear DNA, respectively. Two HOSE populations were identified, ranging in size from 8 to 10 urn and from 15 to 20 Mm, respectively. The cells measuring 8～10μm exhibited round to slightly oval, a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio, fine chromatin, variable chromocenters and inconspicuous nucleoli. The cells measuring 15～20μm exhibited slight anisonucleosis, more prominent nucleoli, fine cytoplasmic metachromasia, and an overall reparative or squamoid morphology. Cells were single or arranged in small clusters, sheets, or papillae. They coexpressed cytokeratin and vimentin, which illustrates epithelial feathers. Cellularity were higher and papillae more frequent in postovulatory and cyst-bearing ovaries, including polycystic ovaries, suggesting underlying ovarian or hormonal influences. CONCLUSIONS: The current study defined baseline features of HOSE cells, which is important to pathologists and clinicians evaluating women at risk for ovarian epithelial cancer and to researchers investigating the pathobiology of this aggressive gynecologic malignancy.