Pluripotential nature of mesotheliomata induced by inhalation of erionite in rats.

Résumé fourni par la source

Mesotheliomata can be induced more rapidly and more frequently by inhalation of erionite than by asbestos inhalation. Erionite-induced tumours have in general a similar ultrastructural appearance to inoculum-induced pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomata. Unusual features of these tumours were the presence of dense-cored vesicles and cells staining positively for neuron-specific enolase which indicated the presence of endocrine cells. In addition, one tumour showed differentiation towards bone-forming cells. The expression of both epithelial and mesodermal characteristics demonstrates the pluripotential nature of mesothelial cells under certain circumstances.