Flow cytometric cell cycle kinetics and quantitative measurement of c-erbB-2 and mutant p53 proteins in normal, hyperplastic, and malignant endometrial biopsies

The Early Genes c-fos and c-jun: Potential Targets to Modulate Estrogen Action in Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a common estrogen-dependent disorder. C-fos and c-jun are early transcription factors probably related to estradiol-dependent cell proliferation. C-fos gene expression is higher in endometriotic implants compared to normal endometrium and the distribution of c-Fos protein is higher in the stroma of endometriotic tissue. C-Jun expression is also more abundant in ectopic endometrial tissue. These findings point to an increased estrogen signaling in endometriosis and suggest that c-fos and c-jun could be potential targets to emerging treatments designed to affect selectively the endometriotic tissue, such as tissue-specific gene therapy.

HER-2/neu (c-erbB-2) oncoprotein in hyperplastic endometrial polyps detected in two cats

The presence of HER-2/neu (c-erbB-2) oncoprotein, oestrogen-alpha receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) in hyperplastic endometrial polyps (EPs) of two cats with cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra (CEH-P) complex was investigated. Immunohistochemistry assay for ER, PR and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein in the glandular and stromal tissue of the EPs was performed. ER and c-erbB-2 immunoreactivity was observed in the glandular epithelium of the EPs whereas PR immunoreactivity was detected only in the stromal fibroblasts. The c-erbB-2 oncoprotein may play a role with the ER in the pathogenesis of the hyperplastic EPs, although the role of this oncoprotein in the pathogenesis of EPs has yet to be determined.

Steroid Receptor Expression and HER-2/neu (c-erbB-2) Oncoprotein in the Uterus of Cats with Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia-Pyometra Complex

The presence of oestrogen-alpha receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER-2/neu (c-erbB-2) oncoprotein in the uterine walls of 10 healthy cats and 20 subjects with cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra (CEH-P) were evaluated. Lesions were graded according to the severity of cystic dilation, hyperplasia and inflammation, and were classified as normal, mild uterine hyperplasia and severe uterine hyperplasia. The ER, PR and c-erbB-2 expression in the endometrium, glandular epithelium, stromal fibroblasts and myometrial smooth muscle cells was quantified by immunohistochemistry. The ER, PR and c-erbB-2 staining patterns differed between normal uteri and uteri with CEH-P. The ER expression was tended to be higher in the endometrial surface and glandular epithelium in the severe hyperplasia group (P > 0.05) and significantly lower in the mild hyperplasia cases compared with normal endometrium (P < 0.05), whereas the PR expression in both severe and mild hyperplasia cases tended to be higher in stromal cells and glandular epithelium than those in the normal uteri. C-erbB-2 immunoreactivity was observed only in the endometrial surface and glandular epithelium of the uterine wall and immunostaining was found to be highest in cases with severe hyperplasia. As a conclusion, we suggest that c-erbB-2 oncoprotein may play a role in the pathogenesis of the CEH together with the ER and PR in cats, and that ER does not have a role in the mechanism of pyometra, whereas PR plays a role in the pathogenesis of both CEH and pyometra.

Comparison of the difference in histopathology and cell cycle kinetics among the postmenopausal endometrium treated with different progestins in sequential-combined hormone replacement therapy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the difference in histopathology and cell cycle kinetics in the menopausal endometrium treated with sequential-combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using different types and doses of progestins.

DESIGN

A randomized, double-blind, 1-year study was conducted. In a menopause clinic of a university hospital, 241 postmenopausal women using HRT were included for the study of histopathology and cell cycle analysis. Conjugated equine estrogens, 0.625mg/day, were administered for 25 days (days 1-25) of each month, and the following were also administered for 14 days (days 12-25): in group A ( n= 102), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), 5 mg/day; in group B ( n= 66), MPA, 10mg/day; and in group C ( n= 73), dydrogesterone, 20mg/day. Endometrial sampling was performed after at least 10 months of treatment. Fifty-two premenopausal women were also enrolled for the comparative studies (group Y). The S-G2-M fractions in the cell cycle were used as the marker of proliferation.

RESULTS

Most menopausal endometria were normal regardless of the regimens of HRT. Endometrial hyperplasia was only found in two cases (both in group A). The S-G2-M fractions of the endometrial cells in all three menopausal groups showed no statistically significant difference. It appeared that S-G2-M fractions increased from normal postmenopausal to normal premenopausal endometria to postmenopausal hyperplasia to premenopausal hyperplasia. The S-G2-M fractions of the normal menopausal endometrial cells were lower than those of the premenopausal controls either in normal or in hyperplastic categories.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that there is no difference between the effect of MPA and dydrogesterone used in sequential-combined HRT based on the cycle kinetics of the menopausal endometrium.

DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction analyses of hyperplastic, atypical and cancerous endometrium using flow cytometry from paraffin-embedded tissues

Atypical hyperplasia of the endometrium is an entity that needs to be clearly distinguished from other florid hyperplastic states on the one hand and from well-differentiated adenocarcinomas on the other. This may at times be difficult on pure morphological grounds. In this study, DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction of hyperplastic, atypical and cancerous endometrium were evaluated using flow cytometry from paraffin-embedded tissues. In total, 72 cases (24 hyperplastic, 24 atypical and 24 adenocarcinomas) were selected. All hyperplastic endometria showed a diploid stemline, while 2/24 atypical hyperplasias showed aneuploid (Near-diploid) peaks. Both of these cases were severely atypical and one of these, on hysterectomy, showed early invasive carcinoma. There was no significant difference in mean S-phase fractions of hyperplastic vs. atypical endometria. DNA aneuploidy was significantly more common with much higher S-phase fractions in poorly and moderately differentiated carcinomas than in well-differentiated ones. It was concluded that aneuploid (near-diploid) peaks, if ever present in atypical hyperplasias, may indicate an aggressive disease/neoplastic transformation.

Cell cycle analysis and detection of proliferative cell nuclear antigen of the endometrium after hormone replacement therapy

BACKGROUND

To understand the effect of sequential combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the postmenopausal endometrium.

METHODS

Sonographic endometrial thickness, endometrial histopathology, flow cytometric cell cycle analysis and the level of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were studied.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-eight postmenopausal women were enrolled in this study. Among which, 97 women had their endometrium being adequately obtained; the most frequent type of histopathology was normal endometrium (91.8%). Endometrial hyperplasia was found in seven patients (7.2%), including typical simple hyperplasia (n=1, 1%), focal simple hyperplasia (n=5, 5.2%) and complex hyperplasia without atypia (n=1, 1%). The proliferative fractions (PF; S plus G2-M phase) of cells from normal and hyperplastic endometrium of menopausal women after HRT were 8.18 and 8.95%, respectively, which were lower than those from 29 premenopausal women without HRT. The level of PCNA of normal and hyperplastic endometrium in postmenopausal women after HRT was about 80 and 84%, respectively, of that from premenopausal endometrium.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed the PF of the cell cycle and the level of PCNA were not increased in the menopausal endometrium under HRT as compared to the premenopausal controls.

Determination of cytosolic citrulline and nitrate as indicators of nitric oxide in bladder cancer: possible association with basic fibroblast growth factor

BACKGROUND

Nitric Oxide (NO) and nitrosamines have been implicated in bladder carcinogenesis. Apart from its implication in carcinogenesis, NO contributes to the regulation of tumor angiogenesis via angiogenic peptides exemplified by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

In order to examine NO pattern in normal, schistosomal, and malignant bladder cytosols, we have used a combined approach by measuring nitrate and the amino acid citrulline. The results were correlated to bFGF, which were measured in bladder cytosols by an EIA method.

RESULTS

Comparison between normal, schistosomal, and malignant bladder groups showed that patients with schistosomiasis and bladder cancer had significantly higher cytosolic nitrate, citrulline, and bFGF levels. There were no apparent correlations between these investigated parameters and tumor histologic features. The level of citrulline was strongly correlated to nitrate level and both were correlated to bFGF level in bladder cancer and schistosomiasis groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that NO and bFGF were significantly elevated in schistosomiasis and bladder cancer compared to normal bladders. Moreover, the consistent association of NO with bFGF found in the present work, support the hypothesis that the angiogenic peptide bFGF may be modulated by NO and suggest a useful target in antiangiogenic therapy in bladder cancer.