Computer‐assisted chromatin texture characterization of Feulgen‐stained nuclei in a series of 331 transitional bladder cell carcinomas

Abstract

The chromatin patterns of Feulgen-stained nuclei in a series of six specimens of normal mucosa and 331 transitional bladder carcinomas, including 293 superficial (Ta and T1) and 38 invasive (T2-T4) cases, were quantitatively described by means of eight parameters relating to densitometric, run-length distribution, and co-occurrence matrix features. The results show that the chromatin texture of the superficial lesions was markedly different from that of the invasive tumours, which exhibited a distinctly more dense and heterogeneous chromatin pattern. The data also show that the increasing level of malignancy, as revealed by the increasing clinical stage, was accompanied by an increase in the overall chromatin condensation level. Only some areas of the nucleus actually increased in density; other pale areas appeared concomitantly with these increasingly denser chromatin areas. This chromatin density increase corresponded to a marked increase in the frequency of small dense chromatin clumps; these joined together into very large dense chromatin clumps, which were distributed more and more heterogeneously in the nucleus as the clinical stage of the tumour increased.

Thalidomide alters nuclear architecture without ABCB1 gene modulation in drug-resistant myeloma cells

“…In 8226-Dox40 cells, significant variations were observed in E, and ENT, two features related to the spatial organization and distribution of the chromatin (15), and whose values are correlated neither to nuclear area nor to global chromatin condensation. Significant changes in chromatin higher-order organisation, evaluated through nuclear texture, have already been reported as markers of tumour cell aggressiveness or metastatic potential, either in experimental or clinical samples (22)(23)(24)(25). For instance, LM displays significant increases in invasive bladder tumours as compared to superficial tumours (25) and appears linked (together with E and GLD) to tumour size in breast carcinomas (unpublished data).…”

“…Significant changes in chromatin higher-order organisation, evaluated through nuclear texture, have already been reported as markers of tumour cell aggressiveness or metastatic potential, either in experimental or clinical samples (22)(23)(24)(25). For instance, LM displays significant increases in invasive bladder tumours as compared to superficial tumours (25) and appears linked (together with E and GLD) to tumour size in breast carcinomas (unpublished data). Moreover, we reported previously similar chromatin changes in 8226 cells resistant to glucocorticoids, suggesting that the observed alterations could represent a drug (and mechanism)-independent marker of drug-resistance in these myeloma cells (26).…”

Nuclear chromatin patterns in 3 glucocorticoid-resistant RPMI 8226 human myeloma cell sub-lines: Correlations with cell growth and immunological phenotype

“…Similar increases in chromatin condensation, evaluated through nuclear texture, have already been reported as markers of tumor cells aggressiveness or metastatic potential, either in experimental or clinical samples. [27][28][29][30] For instance, LM displayed significant increases in invasive bladder tumors as compared to superficial tumors. 30 In RPMI 8226d cells, these textural changes were associated with a lower DNase I sensitivity, indicating a decreased accessibility linked to a more compact chromatin conformation.…”

“…[27][28][29][30] For instance, LM displayed significant increases in invasive bladder tumors as compared to superficial tumors. 30 In RPMI 8226d cells, these textural changes were associated with a lower DNase I sensitivity, indicating a decreased accessibility linked to a more compact chromatin conformation. Interestingly, histone acetylation levels remain similar in all cell sub-lines, suggesting that this mechanism probably does not play a key role in the GC-dependent chromatin remodeling.…”

Methodological aspects of using decision trees to characterise leiomyomatous tumors

“…Each set assessed specific features of the cell nucleus morphology detailed in Van Velthoven et al (40).…”