Multinucleation followed by an acytokinetic cell division in myxofibrosarcoma with giant cell proliferation

J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2009 Mar 31;28(1):44. doi: 10.1186/1756-9966-28-44.

Abstract

Background: Multinucleated cells are frequently seen in association with a malignant neoplasm. Some of these multinucleated cells are considered to be neoplastic. The mechanism of neoplastic multinucleation remains unknown, but is considered to be induced by either cell-cell fusion or acytokinetic cell division. Myxofibrosarcoma consists of spindled and pleomorphic tumor cells and bizarre multinucleated giant cells. Some of these multinucleated cells are considered to be neoplastic.

Methods: We studied the mitotic activity of the multinucleated cells by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry, and the dynamics and differentiation by live-cell video microscopy in the two myxofibrosarcoma cell lines to determine whether the mechanism of multinucleation is cell-cell fusion or acytokinetic cell division

Results: A Ki-67 immunohistochemical analysis revealed a high positive rate of multinucleated cells, as well as mononuclear cells, and mitotic ability was shown in the multinucleated cells. In live-cell video microscopy, most of the multinucleated cells were induced via the process of acytokinetic cell division.

Conclusion: The current study indicates that a vulnerability of the cytoskeleton components, such as the contractile ring, causes multinucleation to occur from the telophase to the cytokinesis of the cell cycle.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cytokinesis*
  • Fibrosarcoma / metabolism
  • Fibrosarcoma / pathology*
  • Giant Cells / cytology*
  • Giant Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ki-67 Antigen / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Ki-67 Antigen