Hepatobiliary System

Gallbladder - Hyaline Droplet Accumulation

Narrative
Comment:
Cytoplasmic inclusions of homogeneous eosinophilic hyaline-like material may be seen in older mice in intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells, as well as epithelial cells in the gallbladder (Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3). In marked cases, there is hyperplasia of the glandular epithelium, and crystalline forms of the eosinophilic inclusion material may be present both intracellularly and extracellularly. The hyaline material has been identified as a chitinase-like protein of unknown function.
Recommendations:
Hyaline droplet accumulation should be diagnosed and given a severity grade, and salient features should be described in the pathology narrative. Associated lesions, such as inflammation or epithelial cell degeneration, necrosis, or hyperplasia, should be diagnosed separately if sufficiently prominent.
References:

Harada T, Enomoto A, Boorman GA, Maronpot RR. 1999. Liver and gallbladder. In: Pathology of the Mouse: Reference and Atlas (Maronpot RR, Boorman GA, Gaul BW, eds). Cache River Press, Vienna, IL, 119-183.

Abstract: http://www.cacheriverpress.com/books/pathmouse.htm

Hsu L, Diwan B, Ward JM, Noguchi CT. 2006. Pathology of ‘‘Berkeley’’ sickle-cell mice includes gallstones, priapism. Blood 107:3414-3415.

Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16597602

Thoolen B, Maronpot RR, Harada T, Nyska A, Rousseaux C, Nolte T, Malarkey D, Kaufmann W, Kutter K, Deschl U, Nakae D, Gregson R, Winlove M, Brix A, Singl B, Belpoggi F, Ward JM. 2010. Hepatobiliary lesion nomenclature and diagnostic criteria for lesions in rats and mice (INHAND). Toxicol Pathol 38:5S-81S.

Full Text: http://tpx.sagepub.com/content/38/7_suppl/5S.full

Ward JM, Yoon M, Anver MR, Haines DC, Kudo G, Gonzalez FJ, Kimura S. 2001. Hyalinosis and Ym1/Ym2 gene expression in the stomach and respiratory tract of 129S4/SvJae and wild-type and CYP1A2-null B6, 129 mice. Am J Pathol 158:323-332.

Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11141507

Yang YH, Campbell JS. 1964. Crystalline excrements in bronchitis and cholecystitis of mice. Am J Pathol 45:337-345.

Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1907179/
  • Image of hyaline droplet accumulation in the gallbladder from a male B6C3F1 mouse in a chronic study

    Hyaline droplet accumulation in the gallbladder in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study.

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Hyaline droplet accumulation in the gallbladder in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study.
Hyaline droplet accumulation in the gallbladder in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study.
Hyaline droplet accumulation in the gallbladder in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1).
Hyaline droplet accumulation in the gallbladder in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1).
Hyaline droplet accumulation with extracellular crystalline material in the gallbladder in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study.
Hyaline droplet accumulation with extracellular crystalline material in the gallbladder in a male B6C3F1 mouse from a chronic study.

Author

Robert R. Maronpot, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

John Cullen, VMD, PhD, DACVP, FIATP
Anatomic Pathology, Professor
North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Raleigh, NC

David E. Malarkey DVM, PhD, DACVP, FIATP
Head, National Toxicology Program Pathology Group
Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch
Division of the National Toxicology Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Research Triangle Park, NC