Expression of cadherins and CD44 isoforms in ovarian endometrial cysts

We evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of cadherins and CD44variants in 20 endometriomas, 20 cystadenomas, 20 borderline ovariantumours as well as 20 ovarian carcinomas, and the serological and cysticfluid concentrations of soluble E-cadherin and soluble CD44 standard(sCD44sdt) in 20 endometriomas, 20 cystadenomas, six borderline and 11carcinomas of the ovary. In endometriomas, immunostaining of E- andN-cadherin was negative (20 and 30% respectively). CD44 H, v3 and v6immunostaining were detected in 63, 10 and 40% respectively. A differencein immunostaining for E-cadherin was found between endometriomas andcystadenomas (P < 0.001) and for N- cadherin between endometriomas andcarcinomas (P < 0.001). A difference in CD44H immunostaining wasobserved between endometriomas and cystadenomas (P < 0.035) but not withborderline ovarian tumours and carcinomas. No difference in serumconcentrations of soluble E- cadherins and CD44 standard was found betweenthe four groups of tumours. Cystic fluid concentrations of E-cadherin werelower in endometriomas than in borderline tumours and ovarian carcinomas (P< 0.001). High concentrations of soluble CD44 standard cystic fluid werefound in endometriomas than in other ovarian cysts. Endometriomas andborderline tumours share alterations of cadherins and CD44 isoforms whichmay help in the understanding of the aggressive and invasive potentials ofendometriotic cells.