Immunohistochemical expression of heat shock protein 27, in normal hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium: correlation with estrogen and progesterone receptor status,p53, pRb and proliferation associated indices (PCNA,MIB1)

Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is a relatively small protein produced in response to pathophysiological stress. In the current prospective study the presence and localization of HSP27 was associated with other potential prognostic factors such as: estrogen and progesterone receptors, p53 and proliferative associated indices (MIB1, PCNA). One hundred and twenty-two samples of endometrial tissues (65 endometrial carcinomas, 28 adenomatous hyperplasias, 31 normal endometrium) were studied. Patient records were examined for FIGO stage, grade, and depth of myometrial invasion, histology and lympho-vascular space invasion. HSPp27 expression was lower in the group of carcinomas when compared with the cases of adenomatous hyperplasias (p < 0.0001), normal proliferative (p < 0.0001) and secretory endometrium (p = 0.02). HSP27 expression was higher in carcinomas from premenopausal women in comparison with women in menopausal status and postmenopausal status. Multivariate tests showed no statistical significance of HSP27 expression according to tumor grade and stage. A positive relationship between the expression of HSP27 expression and estrogen receptors (p = 0.0018) as well as with progesterone receptor (p = 0.0012) was found with linear regression analysis of variance. Our data showed that the lower HSP27 expression in endometrial carcinomas in comparison with hyperplastic and normal endometrium may indicate a decreased endogenous protection mechanism against the various stressful stimuli. This expression could be under hormonal control and does not seem to be correlated with other conventional or possible prognostic parameters.     

RECK与MMP-9基因在子宫内膜癌中的表达及临床意义

目的:研究RECK和MMP-9在不同子宫内膜组织中的表达,探讨两者在子宫内膜癌的发生、发展和浸润转移中的作用。方法:应用链霉菌抗生物素蛋白-过氧化酶(SP)免疫组化法检测42例子宫内膜癌组织、15例子宫内膜不典型增生组织及26例正常增生期子宫内膜组织中RECK蛋白及MMP-9蛋白表达情况。结果:与正常增生期子宫内膜组织及子宫内膜不典型增生组织相比,子宫内膜癌组织中RECK蛋白阳性表达率显著降低(χ2=9.307,P<0.05),MMP-9蛋白阳性表达率显著增高(χ2=11.438,P<0.05),RECK蛋白与MMP-9蛋白在子宫内膜癌中的表达存在明显负相关(P<0.01)。RECK蛋白的表达水平与临床分期、组织学分级、肌层浸润深度及淋巴结转移密切相关(均P<0.05);MMP-9蛋白的表达水平与临床分期、组织学分级、肌层浸润深度密切相关(均P<0.05),而与淋巴结转移无关。结论:RECK蛋白的表达缺失和MMP-9的表达可能与子宫内膜癌的发生、发展及浸润转移有关。     

Tenascin expression in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic endometrium.

Tenascin (TN) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein (ECM) that participates in embryogenesis and carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate immunohistochemically the expression of TN in the normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic endometrium (endometrial adenocarcinoma). In the adenocarcinomas, the results were correlated with patient age, menopausal status, stage, grade, myometrial invasion, and vascular invasion. TN expression was studied in the following cases: proliferative endometrium (10 cases), early secretory endometrium (10), secretory endometrium (10), simple hyperplasia (15), complex hyperplasia (15), atypical hyperplasia (15), and endometrial adenocarcinomas (25). Staining of basal membranes and the cytoplasm of the stromal and epithelial cells was evaluated semiquantitatively. Positive staining was observed in the vascular and glandular basal membranes, stromal cells, and epithelial cells of proliferative, hyperplastic, and neoplastic endometrium. The difference in percentage of stained stromal cells between the neoplastic and the nonneoplastic (proliferative and hyperplastic) endometrium was significant (p<0.005). However, the percentage of stained epithelial cell area in hyperplasia was significantly higher than that of adenocarcinoma and functional endometrium (p<0.005). We conclude that TN is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that plays a role in proliferation and possibly endometrial carcinogenesis.     

CD44s expression is reduced in endometriotic lesions compared to eutopic endometrium in women with endometriosis.

Immunohistochemical expression of the standard form of CD44 (CD44s) was examined in archival formalin-fixed endometriotic and matching eutopic endometrial tissue obtained from 25 patients in proliferative (N = 16) and secretory (N = 9) stages of the cycle. CD44s was expressed in most eutopic endometria and endometriotic tissue. Its expression was significantly higher in secretory than in proliferative phase endometrium. It was low but detectable in 13 of 16 proliferative phase biopsies. The majority of these endometria exhibited both glandular and stromal staining (63%). In the secretory phase, glandular cells exhibited a significantly greater intensity of staining compared to stromal cells. In endometriotic tissue, stromal cell CD44s expression did not differ between tissue types in either stage of the cycle. In contrast, glandular expression in endometriotic tissue during the secretory phase was reduced (p < 0.05) compared to eutopic endometrium. It was absent in 66% of cases and reduced in the remaining cases. Our results indicate a correlation between CD44s expression and secretory differentiation of endometrial glands in the cycle, suggesting hormonal regulation of its expression. This cyclic pattern of CD44s expression was lost in corresponding endometriotic tissue. Reduced expression of CD44s in endometriotic tissue may provide insight into the pathophysiology of endometriosis.     

FHIT expression in neoplastic, hyperplastic, and normal endometrium

Fragile histidine triad (FHIT), a candidate of tumor suppressor protein, expression was examined on paraffin-embedded specimens in proliferative, secretory, hyperplastic, and neoplastic human endometrium by immunohistochemistry. The results of FHIT immunoreactivity in endometrial carcinomas were compared with prognostic indicators as well as with p53 overexpression. Forty-four cases of endometrial carcinoma, 30 normal functional (15 proliferative, 15 secretory), and 24 hyperplastic endometrium (12 without atypia, 12 with atypia) specimens were studied using polyclonal FHIT antibody. The streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase detection system was used, and the intensity and the distribution of immunoreactivity were evaluated semiquantitatively. There were no significant differences in FHIT expression in the proliferative, secretory, hyperplastic, either with or without atypia, or carcinomatous endometria. No significant difference in FHIT expression of endometrial carcinomas was detected when prognostic parameters or p53 overexpression were considered. Loss or reduced FHIT expression was not found to predict disease-free or cumulative survivals. This study showed that loss or reduction in FHIT protein expression is present in normal functional and hyperplastic endometria as well as in neoplastic endometrium. FHIT protein seems not to be involved directly in endometrial carcinogenesis, but rather, it regulates cell proliferation both in physiologic and in pathologic conditions of endometrium.     

p16、Cyclin D1在增生性子宫内膜及子宫内膜癌中的表达

目的 :探讨 p16和 Cyclin D1在内膜癌发生、发展中的作用。方法 :采用免疫组化 S—P法对 12例正常子宫内膜、2 2例增生性子宫内膜及 4 1例子宫内膜癌中 p16和 Cyclin D1表达进行了研究。结果 :在单纯加复合增生、不典型增生及子宫内膜癌中 ,p16表达呈下降趋势 ,内膜癌与正常内膜及增生性内膜有显著性差异 (P<0 .0 1,P <0 .0 5 ) ;而Cyclin D1表达呈上升趋势 ,增生性子宫内膜、子宫内膜癌与正常内膜有显著性差异 (P<0 .0 5 ,P<0 .0 1)。不典型增生与单纯加复合增生 Cyclin D1过表达有显著性差异 (P<0 .0 1)。子宫内膜癌中 ,p16表达随细胞分化程度下降而降低 ,而Cyclin D1则随分化程度下降而上升 ,二者呈负相关。结论 :p16、Cyclin D1异常参与子宫内膜癌的发生 ;p16低表达、Cyclin D1过表达与内膜癌的恶性生物学行为有关 ;Cyclin D1核过表达可能是一个早期分子事件     

Dissociated expression of Bcl-2 and Ki-67 in endometrial lesions: diagnostic and histogenetic implications.

The objective of the present study was to analyze the expression of the proliferation marker, Ki-67, and the anti-apoptotic protein, bcl-2, in various endometrial lesions. Ki-67 and bcl-2 expressions were studied in 194 specimens of endometrial hyperplasia, polyps, carcinomas, and cyclic endometrium from a defined geographic area. Results were statistically analyzed with respect to marker expression, localization to the stromal or glandular component, and intraglandular topography. The lowest glandular Ki-67 expression was seen in secretory endometrium, in polyps, and in atypical hyperplasia. The Ki-67 score was significantly higher and less heterogeneous in endometrial carcinomas than in hyperplasia (p<0.001). Endometrial hyperplasia of all types was characterized by a markedly heterogeneous glandular expression of Ki-67. The glandular expression of bcl-2 was highest in proliferative endometrium and polyps. Bcl-2 expression was significantly lower in adenocarcinomas than in hyperplastic lesions (p=0.002). Ki-67 and bcl-2 expression showed a significant association in proliferative endometrium (p=0.003). Endometrial polyps demonstrated a unique pattern of very low expression of Ki-67 and high bcl-2 expression in both stroma and glands. Our findings indicate that an imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis may be an important factor in the development of different endometrial lesions, benign as well as malignant. The specific finding of inter- and intraglandular Ki-67 heterogeneity may be valuable as an adjunct to morphology in the differential diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia.     

Prognostic significance of DNA topoisomerase II-alpha (Ki-S1) immunoexpression in endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: In order to determine the significance of proliferative activity (PA) in endometrial carcinomas, we analysed the expression of cell cycle-related antigens in routinely processed tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serial sections of 113 endometrial carcinoma specimens were immunostained with the monoclonal antibody DNA Topoisomerase II-alpha (Ki-S1). In addition to Topoisomerase II-alpha (Ki-S1) staining, histologic type, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage. FIMO grade, depth of myometrial invasion, tumor size, lymphovascular space invasion, serosal and/or adnexal involvement, lymph node metastasis, age and peritoneal cytology were evaluated as prognostic indicators. The median follow-up time was 23 (range, 1 to 126 ) months. RESULTS: FIGO stage, FIGO grade, tumor size, lymphovascular space invasion, lymph node metastasis, peritoneal cytology and Topoisomerase II-alpha (Ki-S1) expression all significantly influenced survival in univariate analyses (p < or = 0.05). In the Cox regression analysis, Topoisomerase II-alpha (Ki-S1), serosal and/or adnexal involvement, and lymph node metastasis expression were the only variables with independent prognostic impact (p < or = 0.05), whereas FIGO stage, FIGO grade, histologic type FIGO grade, depth of invasion, tumor size, lymphovascular space invasion, age and peritoneal cytology had no independent influence (p > 0.05). Topoisomerase II-alpha (Ki-S1) staining was significantly elevated in advanced (Stage II, III, IV) as opposed to early (Stage I) carcinomas (p < or = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The association with established prognosticators for endometrial carcinomas, and the results of uni- and multivariate analysis indicate that the additional evaluation of DNA Topoisomerase II-alpha (Ki-S1) peptide antibody (PA) is useful for classifying patients into subgroups with low and high risk of relapse which might help to individualize the therapeutic strategy in endometrial carcinomas.     

Mucin genes (MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC6) detection in normal and pathological endometrial tissues.

Changes in the composition and physical properties of the mucous gel covering the endometrial surface are detected during the menstrual cycle and in pathological conditions. The aim of this study is to analyze the expression patterns of the 11p15 secreted mucins, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6, and the membrane-bound mucin MUC4 in proliferative and secretory normal endometrium, simple and complex hyperplasia, and endometrial adenocarcinoma. A total of 98 samples, 19 of normal endometrium (11 proliferative and 8 secretor), 44 of endometrial hyperplasia (23 simple, 21 complex), and 35 of endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinomas were analyzed by immunohistochemical techniques using specific antimucin antibodies. In the endometrial proliferative glandular epithelium, only MUC4 is detected (36.3% cases). During the secretory phase, increased levels of MUC2 are found (37.5%), whereas MUC4 is less detected (12.5%). In simple hyperplasia, higher levels of mucins are expressed in the endometrial glands: MUC2 is detected in 8.7%, MUC4 in 43.4%, and MUC5AC and MUC6 in 13% of the samples, whereas in complex hyperplasia, decreased levels of mucin expression are found: MUC2 and MUC5AC are not detected, and MUC4 (28.5%) and MUC6 (20.4%) are positive. In endometrial adenocarcinoma, MUC4 is highly detected (77.1%) and increased levels of MUC5AC and MUC6 are found (61.7% and 48.5%), whereas MUC2 is poorly detected (8.5%). These findings suggest that during endometrial neoplasic transformation, increased levels of MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC6 are detected, whereas MUC2 is only significantly detected in the secretory endometrium.     

子宫内膜癌bcl-2癌基因的持续性表达及其临床意义

目的：研究子宫内膜癌ｂｃｌ－２癌基因的表达及其临床意义。方法：采用免疫组化ＡＢＣ法检测增生期、分泌期、单纯型增生、复合型增生及不典型增生子宫内膜共２６份，子宫内膜癌４９例的ｂｃｌ－２癌基因蛋白表达及雌、孕激素受体（ＥＲ、ＰＲ）的表达。结果：正常增生期子宫内膜、增生的子宫内膜存在ｂｃｌ－２的表达，与ＥＲ相关，分泌期子宫内膜ｂｃｌ－２表达下降；４９例子宫内膜癌中２６例ｂｃｌ－２表达阳性，占５３％，２９例ＥＲ表达阳性，占５９％，２５例ＰＲ表达阳性，占５１％。７２％ｂｃｌ－２表达阳性者ＥＲ阳性，７５％ｂｃｌ－２表达阴性者ＥＲ阴性（Ｐ＜０．０１）。６８％ｂｃｌ－２表达阳性者ＰＲ阳性，６２％ｂｃｌ－２阴性者ＰＲ阴性（Ｐ＜０．０５）。子宫内膜癌Ｇ１、Ｇ２级ｂｃｌ－２的表达率为６６％，显著高于Ｇ３级者（２１％）（Ｐ＜０．０５）。ｂｃｌ－２的表达与肌层浸润、手术分期无关，ｂｃｌ－２表达阳性及阴性者生存率统计差异无显著性。结论：子宫内膜ｂｃｌ－２的持续性表达与卵巢激素相互作用可能在子宫内膜癌发生、发展中起作用     

Expression of survivin, PTEN and p27 in normal, hyperplastic, and carcinomatous endometrium

We aimed to investigate if expressions of survivin and p27 proteins are involved in the development of endometrioid carcinoma, along with whether there are any correlations between these proteins and loss of wild-type PTEN that is found in up to 80% of endometrial carcinomas. We also studied their correlations with classical prognostic factors and survival in endometrial carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first time survivin expression is investigated in endometrial hyperplasia along with endometrioid adenocarcinoma. For immunohistochemical analysis, 29 endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 38 endometrial hyperplasia, and 10 proliferative endometrium tissue samples were selected in the pathology archives. Staining of cells was scored as +2 if >50%, +1 if <50%, and negative if none were stained positive. Survivin expression increased from proliferative to hyperplasia to carcinoma cases. PTEN and p27 expressions decreased in hyperplasia and carcinoma cases with respect to proliferative endometrium. All these differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). PTEN positively correlated to p27 (P < 0.05); however, neither was correlated with survivin. None of these genes were correlated with classical prognostic factors such as grade and myometrial invasion in endometrioid adenocarcinoma. However, mean survival was statistically significantly higher in PTEN-positive cases (46.6 vs 16.4 months) (P < 0.05). Survivin overexpression might be one of the important mechanisms in the development of endometrioid adenocarcinoma along with lost or decreased activity of PTEN and p27. However, survivin seems to exert its role in ways different from those of PTEN or p27 in the development of endometrioid adenocarcinoma. These findings on the role of survivin in endometrioid adenocarcinoma should be confirmed and the pathways through which survivin acts in endometrioid adenocarcinoma studied further with a larger sample size.     

Apoptosis-related proteins and steroid hormone receptors in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic endometrium.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution and frequency of apoptosis-related proteins and their correlation with estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors in endometrial tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses of bcl-2, bax, bcl-x, and steroid receptors were performed in 22 endometrial carcinomas, 26 endometrial hyperplasias, and 19 cases of normal cyclical endometrium. Bcl-2 was expressed in 45.4% of carcinomas and 92.3% of hyperplasias. Bax immunostaining was found in 90.9% of carcinomas and 76.9% of hyperplasias. Bcl-x positivity was similar in carcinomas (68.1%) and endometrial hyperplasias (76.9%). In normal cyclical endometria, bcl-2 staining was intense and diffuse in the proliferative phase, but decreased dramatically in the early and mid-secretory phase to reappear in the late secretory phase. Bax was expressed throughout the menstrual cycle but more strongly in the secretory phase. Bcl-x displayed a similar degree of expression in proliferative and secretory endometria. Nineteen carcinomas (86.3%), 25 hyperplasias (96.1%), and 18 normal cyclical endometria (94.7%) were positive for estrogen receptor (ER). Progesterone receptor (PR) was observed in 20 carcinomas (90.9%), all hyperplasias (100%), and 18 normal cyclical endometria (94.7%). Androgen receptor (AR) positivity was seen in 7 carcinomas (31.8%), 6 hyperplasias (23.0%), and 3 normal cyclical endometria (15.7%). There was a statistically positive correlation between bcl-x and ER and a tendency toward significant correlation between bcl-x and PR and between ER and PR in carcinomas. In hyperplasias, there was a significant positive correlation between bcl-2 and PR and between bcl-2 and bax and a negative correlation between ER and bax. There was a statistically significant difference for bcl-2 (p = 0.001) and bax (p = 0.001) between the hyperplasia and carcinoma groups. There was increased expression of bax, decreased expression of bcl-2, and persistence of bcl-x protein in advanced endometrial carcinomas. Our findings show that ovarian hormones have a regulatory role on bcl-2 protein and that there is a correlation between other members of the bcl-2 family (bcl-x and bax) and steroid hormone receptors. Bax/bcl-x may be the major control mechanisms of apoptosis in advanced carcinomas; other members of the bcl-2 family may also be under hormonal control.     

Claudin 1 differentiates endometrioid and serous papillary endometrial adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The expression of claudins, the main tight junction proteins involved in cell adhesion and carcinogenesis, was studied in endometrioid (type I) and seropapillary (type II) endometrial adenocarcinoma. The characteristics and possible diagnostic potential of claudin expression pattern were investigated in the two cancer types having different prognosis. METHODS: Protein and mRNA expression of claudins was evaluated in 17 endometrioid carcinomas and 15 seropapillary adenocarcinomas by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR in comparison with 38 cases of hyperplasia, normal proliferative and secretory endometrium samples. Further, protein expressions used in diagnostics (estrogen and progesterone receptors, p53, PCNA and beta-catenin) were also studied. RESULTS: In endometrioid carcinoma and hyperplasia low claudin 1 and high claudin 2 protein contents, whereas in seropapillary adenocarcinoma high claudin 1 and low claudin 2 levels were detected. Intense protein expression was noted for claudins 3, 4, 5, and 7, without significantly different patterns in carcinoma, hyperplasia, secretory, and proliferative endometrium. Real-time PCR results confirmed differences in claudin 1 but not claudin 2 mRNA expression, whereas some minor discrepancies were observed in comparison with immunohistochemistry patterns. CONCLUSION: The two types of endometrial adenocarcinomas were well distinguished by claudins 1 and 2 by immunohistochemistry, claudins 3, 4, and 7, however, did not prove useful in distinguishing the two entities. The similar claudin pattern seen in hyperplasia and endometrioid carcinoma and the differences regarding seropapillary adenocarcinoma support the dualistic model of endometrial carcinogenesis. The claudin pattern of the two tumor types might reflect a different cellular or pathogenetic pathway as well as a different cell adhesion behavior explaining the invasive properties.     

Expression of replication-licensing factors MCM2 and MCM3 in normal, hyperplastic, and carcinomatous endometrium: correlation with expression of Ki-67 and estrogen and progesterone receptors.

Minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins are essential for cell cycling due to their function as replication-licensing factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinicopathologic implications of the MCM2 and MCM3 in endometrial carcinogenesis. The authors investigated the immunohistochemical expression of MCM2 and MCM3, Ki-67, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor in 23 normal endometria, 9 endometrial hyperplasias, and 60 endometrial carcinomas. In the normal endometrial glands, the expression of MCM2 and MCM3 was significantly higher in the proliferative phase than in the secretory phase and was strongly correlated with Ki-67 expression. Similar correlation between the expression of MCMs and Ki-67 was also found in endometrial hyperplasia. In endometrial carcinomas, however, the expression of MCM2 and MCM3 was significantly lower than that in the normal proliferative endometrium. There was only a weak correlation between MCM2 and Ki-67, and no significant correlation between MCM3 and Ki-67 expression. These findings suggest that the expression of MCM2 and MCM3 directly reflects cell proliferation in normal and hyperplastic endometria. In endometrial carcinomas, however, there is a discrepancy between the expression of MCMs and cell proliferation, suggesting that the replication-licensing system may be aberrant in endometrial carcinomas.     

子宫内膜增生性疾病患者内膜细胞凋亡的研究

目的 :研究凋亡在子宫内膜增生性疾病中的作用。方法 :用改良原位末端标记技术检测 15例正常月经周期的增生期、分泌期、月经期子宫内膜 ,11例增殖性子宫内膜 ,12例子宫内膜癌 ,以及术前用孕激素治疗的 13例异常增生子宫内膜中的凋亡细胞 ,并计算其凋亡指数 (AI)。结果 :分泌期、月经期子宫内膜、增殖性子宫内膜、子宫内膜癌AI均比正常增生期子宫内膜AI高 (P <0 .0 1)。增殖症患者内膜不典型增生组AI比单纯增生、复杂增生组AI高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;内膜癌患者低分化组AI比高分化组、中分化组AI高 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :细胞凋亡与正常子宫内膜周期性变化有关 ,而在增殖性和癌变子宫内膜中的异常表达可能与子宫内膜的良恶性病变有关     

Expression of cyclin D1 in normal,hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium and its correlation with Ki-67 and clinicopathological variables

Methods We investigated cyclin D1 expression in proliferative endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia and endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and examined the correlation of cyclin D1 expression with Ki67 as a cell proliferation associated marker. Immunohistochemical expression of cyclin D1 and Ki67 were studied in 30 cases with endometrial carcinoma, 14 cases with atypical hyperplasia, 15 cases with simple hyperplasia and 30 cases with proliferative endometrium.Results One out of 30 patients (3.3%) with proliferative endometrium, 1 out of 14 patients (7.1%) with atypical hyperplasia, and 8 out of 30 patients (26.6%) with endometrial carcinoma were found to have immunoreactivity to cyclin D1. All cases of simple hyperplasia had negative staining for cyclin D1. A positive immunoreaction for Ki67 was obtained in all cases. Statistically significant difference was found in cyclin D1 immunoreactivity between both proliferative endometrium and adenocarcinoma, and simple hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma (p<0.05). In patients with adenocarcinoma, cyclin D1 immunoreactive cases had higher mean Ki67 values compared with the non-immunoreactive ones (p<0.05). Ki67 and cyclin D1 immunoreactivity had no impact on overall survival. Univariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between survival and grade and stage (p<0.01). Cyclin D1 expression was not correlated with age, depth of myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space involvement, grade, lymph node metastasis and stage.Conclusion Cyclin D1 expression in endometrial carcinoma is higher than proliferative endometrium and simple hyperplasia. These findings support that cyclin D1 may play a role in endometrial carcinogenesis.     

The value of epithelial membrane antigen overexpression in hyperplastic and malignant endometrium and its relationship with steroid hormone receptor expression

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of epithelial membrane antigen overexpression (EMA OE) in benign, hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium and to analyze its association with estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) immunohistochemistry, tumor grade and myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC). The OE of EMA was analysed immunohistochemically in nine patients with benign endometrium (BE), in 18 patients with atypical complex endometrial hyperplasia (ACH) and in 29 patients with EC. EMA OE was present in 13 of 29 patients (44.8%) with EC, in two of 18 patients (11.1 %) with ACH, and in none of nine patients with BE (p < 0.05). EMA OE of endometrial carcinoma was statistically correlated with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) grade (G1 vs G2 and G3, p < 0.05) and depth of myometrial invasion (< 1/2 vs > 1/2, p < 0.05). EMA OE was significantly associated with PR negativity (p < 0.001). However it did not show any association with ER immunohistochemistry (p = 0.14). PR immunohistochemistry had significant correlations with FIGO grade (p < 0.001) and depth of myometrial invasion (p < 0.05) but ER loss showed a nearly significant association only with advanced FIGO grade (p = 0.054). In conclusion, EMA shows increased expression as the lesion progresses to malignancy and can also aid discrimination between hyperplastic and neoplastic states. The correlation of imunohistochemical findings with tumor grade and myometrial invasion could help in predicting behavior of the tumor and planning treatment in patients with endometrial carcinoma.     

Local immune response in endometrial carcinomas

Objective To determine whether Langerhans cells act as antigen-presenting cells in endometrial carcinomas and their related lesions.
Samples Frozen endometrial samples were obtained from 13 women with normal menstrual cycles, 3 postmenopausal women, 11 women with hyperplasia (simple 4, complex 4 and atypical 3) and 32 women with endometrial carcinomas.
Main outcome measures Langerhans cells (CD1), T lymphocytes (CD4 and CD8), B lymphocytes (CD22), natural killer (NK) cells (CD57) and HLA-DR were all quantitatively assessed in endometrial samples using immunohistochemical method.
Results The numbers of Langerhans, CD4+, CD8+ and B cells were higher in the secretory phase than in the proliferative endometrium. The CD8+ cells appeared to be more plentiful than the CD4+ cells. When compared with the proliferative endometrium, the numbers of Langerhans cells were higher in hyperplasias and carcinomas. Most of Langerhans cells were HLA-DR+, showing a strong correlation with CD4+ cells in carcinomas. This suggests that MHC class II antigen restricted lymphocytes in carcinomas are activated by HLA-DR+ Langerhans cells. However, epithelial expression of HLA-DR in carcinomas did not show on association with high numbers of Langerhans and CD4+ cells. No correlation was observed between Langerhans cells and clinicopathologic features of carcinomas. In contrast, the number of NK cells significantly decreased in noninvasive carcinomas but increased in Grade 3 tumours.
Conclusion Based on the above findings, Langerhans cells are considered to act as antigen-presenting cells in carcinomas, but it was not shown that they were activated by epithelial expression of HLA-DR in carcinomas.     

芳香化酶蛋白及性激素受体等在子宫内膜病变组织中的表达变化及意义

目的探讨芳香化酶蛋白、雌激素受体（ER）、孕激素受体（PR）及细胞增殖相关核抗原Ki67在子宫内膜病变组织中的阳性表达率及其在子宫内膜病变的诊断和治疗中的价值。方法采用免疫组化链霉菌抗生物素蛋白-过氧化物酶链接（SP）法,检测148例子宫内膜病变患者（观察组,其中子宫内膜增殖症30例,轻、中、重度子宫内膜非典型增生各10例,子宫内膜腺癌88例）及30例因患宫颈原位癌行子宫全切除术患者的正常子宫内膜组织（对照组,其中增殖期及分泌期子宫内膜各15例）中芳香化酶蛋白、ER、PR及Ki67的阳性表达率。结果（1）观察组子宫内膜增殖症、子宫内膜非典型增生组织芳香化酶蛋白、ER、PR、Ki67的阳性表达率与对照组增殖期内膜比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;（2）观察组子宫内膜腺癌组织芳香化酶蛋白阳性表达率为64％（56／88）,与子宫内膜非典型增生（23％,7／30）、子宫内膜增殖症（13％,4／30）及对照组（0／15）比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;（3）芳香化酶蛋白的阳性表达率与子宫内膜腺癌的临床分期（Ⅰ期61％、Ⅱ期77％、Ⅲ期70％、Ⅳ期67％）、肿瘤细胞分化级别（高分化64％,中分化74％,低分化58％）、有无淋巴转移（转移59％,无转移67％）无明显相关性（P〉0．05）。（4）子宫内膜腺癌组织中ER、PR、Ki67的阳性表达率分别为22％（19／88）、19％（17／88）、41％（36／88）,与对照组分别比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论子宫内膜良性病变组织与正常内膜组织中,芳香化酶蛋白表达无明显差异;子宫内膜腺癌组织中芳香化酶蛋白的过度表达,可作为诊断子宫内膜腺癌的指标之一。     

子宫内膜癌雄激素受体表达及临床意义

目的:探讨子宫内膜癌组织中的雄激素受体(AR)的表达及其与临床病理特征和雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)表达的关系。方法:应用免疫组织化学SP法检测41例正常子宫内膜、18例不典型增生及116例子宫内膜癌组织中AR、ER、PR的表达。结果:①子宫内膜细胞普遍存在AR的表达,在正常子宫内膜、不典型增生子宫内膜、子宫内膜癌组织中阳性表达率逐渐增高,但差异无统计学意义(P=0.424)。②AR在子宫内膜癌中的表达随患者FIGO分期、组织病理分级的升高而下降(P=0.011;P=0.047),而与患者发病年龄、是否绝经、组织学类型、淋巴结有无转移、肌层有无浸润无明显关系(P>0.05)。③AR的表达与ER、PR的表达呈正相关(r=0.293,P=0.001;r=0.275,P=0.003)。结论:AR在子宫内膜癌的发生、发展中可能起重要作用,AR阳性表达者的生物学行为较好。