MSN-1 antibody in the evaluation of female genital tract adenocarcinomas

The reactivity of a new monoclonal antibody (MAb), MSN-1, raised against a human endometrial cancer cell line (SNG-II), was studied in a variety of endometrial, endocervical, and ovarian carcinomas as well as normal cycling endometrium. Moderate to strong reactivity (2-3+) was seen in six of nine normal secretory endometria (67%), one of 10 normal proliferative endometria (10%), 18 of 18 endometrial adenocarcinomas (100%), 10 of 11 endometrioid ovarian adenocarcinomas (91%), seven of nine clear cell ovarian adenocarcinomas (78%), one of 12 endometrial hyperplasias without atypia (9%), two of four endometrial hyperplasias with atypia (50%), zero of five endometrial serous adenocarcinomas, two of 17 serous ovarian adenocarcinomas (12%), zero of 10 intestinal-type mucinous ovarian adenocarcinomas, and zero of nine metastatic adenocarcinomas in ovary. Endocervical adenocarcinomas showed moderate to strong staining in 75% (six of eight). It is concluded that MSN-1 can be used to confirm endometrioid/clear cell differentiation in ovarian and endometrial tumors, cannot be used to discriminate endocervical from endometrial differentiation, cannot be used to discriminate atypical hyperplasia from carcinoma, and may be useful to distinguish between atypical (premalignant) endometrial hyperplasias and those without atypia.     

Effects of neonatal androgenization on endometrial carcinogenesis and natural killer (NK) activity

The effects of neonatal androgenization on endometrial carcinogenesis and natural killer (NK) cell activity which may facilitate the development of malignant tumors were studied. Abnormal uterine proliferation was not detected in any of 162 NR during a 800-day observation period. In contrast, 3 atypical hyperplasias, 3 adenocarcinomas and one squamous cell carcinoma of the uterus were detected in 61 ASR after 500 days of age. In ASR, obesity became prominent with aging and spleen weight also increased after 500 days of age. Concerning the target cell of NK cell activity assay, YAC-1 lymphoma cells are the best cell line of the three cell lines in a variety of experimental conditions. NK cell activity of both NR and ASR decreased with age. NK cell activities of ASR significantly decreased at both 250 and 500 days of age in comparison with those of NR. Such persistently reduced NK cell activity which implies that a decline in immune surveillance is one of the important factors in endometrial carcinogenesis of ASR after 500 days of age.     

Precancerous lesion of the endometrium and endometrial morphology in patients with tamoxifen therapy

The endometrioid type of endometrial adenocarcinoma,(type 1-carcinoma) is estrogen-dependent and frequently associated with endometrial hyperplasia. The nomenclature of these hyperplasias is currently under discussion. The highest risk for metachronous carcinoma is associated with atypical hyperplasia of the endometrium as detected in fractional curettings. In postmenopausal patients treatment should consist of abdominal hysterectomy. The so-called type 2-carcinomas, serous-papillary and clear-cell type, do not demonstrate a similar association with precursor lesions. Pathological findings in patients treated with Tamoxifen include endometrial atrophy and fibro-cystic endometrial polyps, sometimes with cellular metaplasias. Patients with breast cancer and tamoxifen treatment have an increased risk of endometrial carcinoma. In some of these patients it could be argued whether the carcinoma has developed in a proceeding endometrial hyperplasia.     

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.     

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of premalignant and malignant endometrial disorders: a feasibility of in vivo study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential clinical utility of in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in patients with various endometrial lesions. METHODS: Twelve patients with untreated uterine bleeding were included in this study. In-vivo proton MRS was performed using a 1.5 T MR scanner. The metabolite levels were classified into three classes in comparison with the noise level by visual examination. All the patients have endometrial biopsy. For each type of lesions, chemical compound were described. RESULTS: Pathological examination resulted in three endometrial cancer, two simple hyperplasias, one complex hyperplasia, two partial hydatiform mole, two proliferative endometrium and two secretory endometrium. In women with endometrial carcinoma, high choline and lipid signals were detected, whereas no creatine and no lactate signals were found. In women with endometrial hyperplasia, choline signal was detectable in all cases but one case showed lactate signal in addition to choline. In women with partial hydatidiform mole, the only detectable signal was choline. Lipid signals were detected in none of the cases with endometrial hyperplasia and partial hidatidiform mole. In women with either secretory or proliferative endometrium, choline and lactate signals were detectable in all cases but one case showed solely choline. Lipid signals were not detected in any of subjects with secretory or proliferative endometrium. CONCLUSION: The observed difference is the presence of lipid signal only in endometrial carcinoma.     

Mucinous metaplasia of the endometrium: ultrastructural and histochemical characteristics

The histologic, ultrastructural, and histochemical characteristics of a focus of mucinous metaplasia in the endometrium of a postmenopausal woman are described and compared with normal endocervical and endometrial epithelium. While, architecturally, the simple coiled metaplastic glands resembled endometrial glands, cytologically, they resembled endocervical cells in the ultrastructural appearance of the mucin, as well as in the histochemical-staining properties of the intracellular secretory product. The location of the focal area of metaplasia in the fundus, apparently isolated from endocervical mucosa, as well as its architectural resemblance to endometrium, indicates that it originates from endometrium rather than endocervix.     

Simple hyperplasia of the endometrium: an evaluation of proliferative activity by Ki-67 immunostaining.

As endometrial hyperplasia has been characterized over the past 100 years, some investigators have questioned the hyperplastic nature of nonatrophic cystic glands associated with an increase in gland-to-stroma ratio, which is currently considered to represent simple endometrial hyperplasia. In the current study, the proliferative activity of simple endometrial hyperplasia was examined using an antibody to Ki-67 protein, a well-established marker of proliferative activity, and compared with the results of activity in inactive/atrophic endometrium, proliferative endometrium, and other forms of endometrial hyperplasia. In an evaluation of 68 endometrial biopsy specimens showing 110 histologic patterns, the mean Ki-67 index (percentage of Ki-67 positive nuclei) was 2.8% in inactive/atrophic endometrium, 23.2% in proliferative endometrium, 9.8% in simple hyperplasia, 12.7% in complex hyperplasia, and 10% in atypical complex hyperplasia. In simple hyperplasias, the mean Ki-67 index was 3.9% in dilated glands without infolding or outbranching, 14.6% in nondilated glands showing outbranching or slight crowding, and 6.9% in dilated glands with infolding or outbranching. Ki-67 indices for dilated glands were most similar, therefore, to atrophic/inactive endometrium with no statistical significant difference in the percentage of these cells staining between these two groups. In contrast, statistically significant differences were seen in staining between cystic patterns of simple hyperplasia and proliferative endometrium, simple hyperplasia showing outbranching and/or slight crowding but no dilation, complex hyperplasia, and atypical hyperplasia. The findings in the current study suggest that nonatrophic cystic glands with an increase in the gland-to-stroma ratio in the endometrium should not be considered a hyperplastic process and in the absence of other findings such as excessive bleeding or coexistent noncystic simple hyperplasia, treatment with progestin therapy, a widely used practice, is unnecessary. As discussed, the findings also suggest that these cystic forms of simple hyperplasia are precursors of cystic atrophies. Confirmation of these results on a larger population by a different research team appears desirable.     

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     

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.     

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.     

Expression of cytokeratins in early neoplastic epithelial lesions of the uterine cervix

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to cytokeratin polypeptides were used to study the expression of these intermediate filament proteins in normal, squamous metaplastic, and neoplastic epithelium of the uterine cervix, in order to investigate the morphogenesis of early epithelial changes preceding cervical squamous cell carcinoma. A polyclonal keratin antiserum showed a positive reaction in all different epithelial cell types of the uterine cervix. A positive reaction was also found in subcolumnar reserve cell hyperplasia, in squamous metaplastic and dysplastic cells, and in (squamous) carcinoma in situ. A monoclonal antibody specific for columnar epithelium (RGE 53) gave a positive reaction in endocervical columnar cells and in some immature metaplastic cells but was negative in subcolumnar reserve cells, squamous (metaplastic) cells, dysplastic cells, and most cases of carcinoma in situ. Another monoclonal cytokeratin antibody (RKSE 60) pointed to early keratinization in light microscopically nonkeratinizing squamous (metaplastic) and dysplastic epithelium. A possible overlap in staining patterns of RGE 53 and RKSE 60 was seen in some cases of immature metaplasia. Morphologic changes occurring in the transformation zone upon dedifferentiation are accompanied by alterations in cytokeratin expression. Similarities in cytokeratin expression were found between dysplasia and carcinoma in situ on one hand and subcolumnar reserve cell hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia on the other. This study favors an epithelial origin and a squamoid nature of subcolumnar reserve cells.     

Endometrial metaplasia associated with endometrial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship of metaplasia to endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Between 1984-1990, 73 cases of stage I-II endometrial carcinoma treated initially by hysterectomy were reviewed histologically. The metaplasias were classified as squamous, syncytial papillary, ciliated-cell, eosinophilic, mucinous, clear-cell, or hobnail. We assessed the histologic type and grade of the carcinoma, depth of myometrial invasion, presence or absence of lymph-vascular space invasion, and presence or absence of lymph node metastases. RESULTS: Forty of 73 patients (55%) had one or more areas of metaplasia in the endometrium adjacent to the carcinoma. Ciliated-cell metaplasia (28 of 73; 38%) was the most common type encountered. Women with both endometrial carcinoma and metaplasia were significantly younger than those with carcinoma without metaplasia (P < .05). Compared with carcinomas without metaplasia, those with metaplasia were well differentiated (P < .01) and lacked myometrial invasion (P < .01) and pelvic lymph node metastases (P < .05). The presence of metaplasia was also significantly correlated with the presence of endometrial hyperplasia (P < .01). CONCLUSION: In endometrial carcinomas, the presence of endometrial metaplasia suggests a favorable prognosis.     

Immunohistochemical study of p53 expression in endometrial carcinomas: correlation with markers of proliferating cells and clinicopathologic features

Using anti-p53 (PAb1801 and PAb240), anti-DNA polymerase α and Ki-67 monoclonal antibodies, the expression of p53 was studied in 11 normal endometria, 14 endometrial hyperplasias and 27 endometrial carcinomas and its relationship to the proliferative activity of the tumors was examined. Normal endometria and simple hyperplasias were completely negative for p53. The PAb1801 indices of complex hyperplasias and complex atypical hyperplasias were 2.5±1.8% and 5.0±3.2%, respectively. The PAb1801 indices of grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 endometrial carcinomas were 10.2±14.2%, 44.4±29/0% and 45.0±32.5%, respectively. These results indicate a progressively enhanced p53 expression in the sequence from normal endometrium, through hyperplasia to carcinoma. A significant correlation between p53 expression and labeling indices of Ki-67 and DNA polymerase α was observed in endometrial carcinomas. The endo-metrial carcinomas with p53 overexpression developed mainly in post-menopausal patients and were frequently high-grade tumors with deep myometrial invasion. These findings may indicate that overexpression of p53 protein contributes to the proliferative activity of the tumor cells.     

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     

Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia of the endometrium

By women in climacterium and postmenopause the authors found 30 adenomatous atypical hyperplasias out of a total of 909 active hyperplasias. They also detected 68 endometrial carcinomas and 65 other changes. Out of 30 patients with adenomatous atypical hyperplasia, 23 had been subjected to curettage earlier but at that time had revealed only milder forms of hyperplasia. Surgery was performed in 21 patients: in 15 patients the diagnosis based on the operative preparation agreed with that based on curettage findings, in 2 patients endometrial carcinoma and in 2 patients glandular hyperplasia were detected, while in 2 patients there was no functional endometrium. Out of 9 patients who for various reasons were not surgically treated and represented an unintentional prospective study, 5 subsequently developed endometrial carcinoma, 3 mild forms of hyperplasia, and 1 atrophia cystica. In the authors' opinion, the histogenesis of endometrial carcinoma in late postmenopause is still an open question.     

Squamous metaplasia of endometrium after uterine artery embolization for symptomatic leiomyomata

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is frequently performed for symptomatic leiomyomata. There have been no reports of squamous metaplasia of endometrium after such a procedure. Squamous metaplasia of endometrium is often associated with endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma. In our patient the disorder was diagnosed after UAE. This is the second such case we have encountered. In view of the association of squamous metaplasia with endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma, a history of recent UAE must be considered in evaluating a patient with this finding, particularly on a biopsy specimen.     

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.     

BAG-1 expression in normal and neoplastic endometrium

OBJECTIVE: BAG-1 has anti-apoptotic actions and is known to bind BCL-2 and steroid receptors. High levels of BAG-1 have been implicated as a prognostic indicator in breast cancer. Whether this observation can be generalized to endometrial cancer remains unknown. METHODS: IRB permission was obtained for use of human discarded tissue. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on: proliferative endometrium (PEM, 6), secretory endometrium (SEM, 28), "low-grade" neoplastic lesions (complex atypical hyperplasia and grade 1 endometrial adenocarcinomas) (19), and "high-grade" cancers (grade 2 and 3 endometrial adenocarcinomas) (13). The level of total BAG-1 and its isoforms was evaluated by Western blot in lysates from Ishikawa cells (grade 1), MFE 296 cells (grade 2), and SK-UT(2) cells (grade 3). RESULTS: The proportion of "high-grade" cancers with positive cytoplasmic staining for BAG-1 was higher than that of secretory endometrium (P = 0.006). Additionally, the proportion of specimens with positive staining for nuclear BAG-1 expression was significantly higher among high-grade carcinoma specimens compared to secretory specimens (P = 0.009). A high proportion (91%) of all specimens were positive for BCL-2, limiting the ability to subcategorize the other variables analyzed. There was no relationship between positive nuclear BAG-1 expression and either estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR) expression. BAG-1 was expressed in the three cell lines evaluated and total BAG-1 level was not different among the different cell lines. CONCLUSION: BAG-1 is expressed in the endometrium. High-grade cancers stain more frequently than secretory endometrium for both cytoplasmic and nuclear BAG-1 expression, perhaps indicating an association between expression of BAG-1 and prognosis.     

Coexpression index of estrogen receptor alpha mRNA isoforms in simple, complex hyperplasia without atypia, complex atypical hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Estrogen receptor isoforms are postulated to play an important role in modulating the estrogen response. To clarify the molecular mechanisms through which malignant changes are activated in endometrium, this study aims to examine the expression profiles of wild-type ER-alpha and their splice variants and to assess the number of coexisting mRNA isoforms of ER-alpha in normal endometrium as well as in endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Human endometrium and specimens including endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer were obtained during surgery. Endometrial data were classified into four groups: simple hyperplasia (n=24), complex hyperplasia (n=15), atypical hyperplasia (n=11), endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (n=19) (grade 1, grade 2 morphological degree) and proliferative endometrium (n=24) as a control group. Total cellular RNA was extracted from endometrial tissues using Total RNA Prep Plus. A real-time quantitative RT-PCR assay was developed to quantify the wild-type ER-alpha and ER-alpha mRNA isoforms copy numbers. We have evaluated the variation in ERs mRNA level between normal endometrium and endometrial hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma. We also evaluated the "sharing indicator". It is a factor of mRNA ER-alpha holding shares in whole mRNA it assume quotient of ER-alpha slicing variant to all variants of mRNA ER-alpha. RESULTS: It was found that the number of coexisting mRNA isoforms was significantly higher in adenocarcinoma endometrium than that evaluated for various degrees of hyperplasia endometrium and normal proliferative endometrium (p<0.05, the Kruskal-Wallis test). CONCLUSION: The risk for progression of endometrial hyperplasia to atypical hyperplasia and eventually endometrioid adenocarcinoma may be accompanied by an increase in the number of alternative splicing variants of mRNA ER-alpha.     

HOXA11基因在人良、恶性子宫内膜增生组织中的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨HOXA11蛋白在人子宫内膜良、恶性增生组织中的表达及临床意义。方法:采用免疫组化方法检测正常增生期(20例)、单纯型及复杂型增生(39例)、不典型增生(33例)和子宫内膜腺癌(41例)子宫内膜组织中HOXA-11的蛋白表达情况。结果:HOXA11在人子宫的内膜腺上皮和间质、肌层及血管壁中均有表达,其中在内膜腺上皮和间质的表达随着增生程度的增加而呈下降趋势,子宫内膜癌组织则显著性下降(P<0.01),在肌层及血管壁中表达各组间无差异。结论:在子宫内膜由良性到恶性增生的演变过程中,HOXA11表达呈下降趋势,可作为子宫内膜恶性变的生物学指标之一。