Apoptosis and aging: breast cells and apoptosis

Analysis of TP53 gene in uterine myomas: No mutations but P72R polymorphism is associated with myoma development

AIM

The aim of the present study was to investigate the familial and somatic mutations as well as polymorphisms of TP53 gene in patients with uterine leiomyoma.

METHODS

The study included 35 women with histologically diagnosed as uterine leiomyomas at the Gynecology Department of Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine. Tissue and blood samples were analyzed for mutations and polymorphisms of TP53 gene by next generation sequencing (Miseq-Illumina). Acquired data was compared with the normal data in Ensembl database. Data from 1000 genome project and data from exome sequencing analyses in Intergen Genetic Diagnosis Center (Ankara) were used as controls for polymorphism analyses.

RESULTS

There were no mutations in tissue and blood samples. However, when the polymorphisms were evaluated, a significant difference was found in NM_000546.5(TP53):c.215C > G (p.Pro72Arg) polymorphism between the study and control groups. The results indicated that P72R/P72R genotype increased the risk of leiomyoma development by 6.3 fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.880-13.793). There was a negative correlation between P72R/WT genotype and leiomyoma development (OR = 0.261, 95% CI: 0.114-0.596). P72R/P72R genotype was statistically higher in the patients with leiomyoma compared with the controls and 1000 genomes from Asian, European and World populations.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study suggested that P72R/P72R genotype may be associated with development of uterine leiomyoma in the Turkish population in the Western part of the country.

Breast size, thoracic kyphosis & thoracic spine pain - association & relevance of bra fitting in post-menopausal women: a correlational study

BACKGROUND

Menopause would seem to exist as a period of accelerated changes for women and their upper torso mechanics. Whether these anthropometric changes reflect changes in pain states remains unclear. Plausible mechanisms of pain exist for the independent and combined effect of increasing breast size and thoracic kyphosis. Bra fit has the potential to change when the anthropometric measures (chest circumference and bust circumference) used to determine bra size change, such as postmenopausally.Identifying an association between breast size, thoracic kyphosis and thoracic spine pain in postmenopausal women and identifying the relevance of bra fit to this association may be of importance to the future management and education of post-menopausal women presenting clinically with thoracic spine pain.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design. Fifty-one postmenopausal bra-wearing women were recruited. Measures included breast size (Triumph International), thoracic kyphosis (flexible curve), bra fitted (Y/N) and pain (Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire) and tenderness on palpation (posteroanterior pressure testing). These measures were collected in one session at a physiotherapy clinic.

RESULTS

The majority of the women in this study were overweight or obese and wearing an incorrect sized bra. Pain was significantly related to breast size, body weight and BMI at mid thoracic levels (T7-8). In contrast self-reported thoracic pain was not correlated with age or index of kyphosis (thoracic kyphosis). Women with thoracic pain were no more likely to have their bra professionally fitted whereas women with a higher BMI and larger breasts were more likely to have their bra professionally fitted.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study show that larger breasts and increased BMI are associated with thoracic pain in postmenopausal women. This is unrelated to thoracic kyphosis. Increasing breast size and how a bra is worn may have biomechanical implications for the loaded thoracic spine and surrounding musculature. Post-menopause women present with a spectrum of anthropometrical changes that have the potential to contribute to altered biomechanics and affect pain states in the thoracic spine.

Gene and protein expression of progesterone receptor isoforms A and B, p53 and p21 in myometrium and uterine leiomyoma

PURPOSE

To assess gene and protein expression of progesterone receptor isoforms A and B, cell cycle regulators p53 and p21 in leiomyoma and myometrium.

METHODS

Samples were collected from 14 patients in reproductive age who underwent abdominal hysterectomy. Gene expression of PRA, PRB, p53 and p21 was analyzed by real-time PCR. Protein expression was assessed by Western blots.

RESULTS

There was no change in gene and protein expression of PRA and PRB in both tissues. The ratio between isoforms (PRA:PRB) was not different between tissues and showed a strong correlation (r = 0.767, P = 0.004). The analysis of gene expression and protein showed increased levels of mRNA and protein p53 in leiomyoma compared to myometrium (P = 0.030 and P = 0.002, respectively). The same increase was observed in p21 mRNA levels (P = 0.016) and protein p21 levels (P = 0.026) in samples of uterine leiomyoma.

CONCLUSIONS

PRA:PRB ratio is similar in normal myometrium and leiomyomas. p53 and p21 mRNA and protein levels are increased in leiomyomas.

Gene and protein expression of p53 and p21 in fibroadenomas and adjacent normal mammary tissue

The aim of this study was to compare p53 and p21 mRNA, and proteins levels between fibroadenomas and adjacent normal mammary tissue of women in reproductive age. A transversal study was performed. Fourteen patients who attended the Breast Service of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre were assessed and submitted to surgical resection of fibroadenomas. Fragments of the central area of the fibroadenoma and adjacent normal mammary tissue were obtained. mRNA expression for genes p53 and p21 was evaluated by RT-PCR, and protein expression by the western blot. Paired analyses showed higher gene expression of p53 (P = 0.017) and p21 (P = 0.003), and a higher protein expression of p53 (P = 0.001) in fibroadenomas as compared to normal breast tissue. p21 protein expression was not different (P = 0.97) between the fibroadenoma and the adjacent normal mammary tissue samples. These results suggest the participation of p53 in the formation of fibroadenomas. The role of p21 in fibroadenomas remains to be defined.