Immunohistochemical localization of CA130 in fetal tissues, and in normal and neoplastic tissues of the female genital tract

Immunohistochemistry of CA 125

CA 125 is known as the marker that is most strongly associated with epithelial gynecological tumors. Compared to the number of publications on its use in serum assays, the application in immunohistochemistry is still limited. The availability of many good antibodies that perform well in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue opens good possibilities for a wider use. Outside the gynecological tract several other structures may react positive for CA 125. Among these are the lung and breast but also the epithelial cells of the conjunctiva and to some extent prostate glandular epithelium. In the fetus reactions can be found in the serosal linings of body cavities but also in the esophagus and skin. In diagnostic pathology CA 125 plays a role in identifying the primary locations of metastatic carcinoma of unknown origin. It is recommended to use CA 125 antibodies not in a solitary setting but in combination with CEA, BRST-2 and Vimentin to discriminate best between the most frequent sites of origin of metastatic carcinoma. Regular analysis of sensitivity/specificity ratios in a balanced population, representing the composition of the patient population seen in daily practice, should be performed to evaluate the position of CA 125 in diagnostic immunohistochemistry.

Candidate biomarkers in the cervical vaginal fluid for the (self-)diagnosis of cervical precancer

Purpose

Despite improvement in vaccines against human papilloma virus (HPV), the causative agent of cervical cancer, screening women for cervical precancer will remain indispensable in the coming 30–40 years. A simple test that could be performed at home or at a doctor’s practice and that informs the woman whether she is at risk would significantly help make a broader group of patients who aware that they need medical treatment. Cervical vaginal fluid (CVF) is a body fluid that is very well suited for such a test.

Methods

Narrative review of cervical (pre)cancer candidate biomarkers from cervicovaginal fluid, is based on a detailed review of the literature. We will also discuss the possibilities that these biomarkers create for the development of a self-test or point-of-care test for cervical (pre)cancer.

Results

Several DNA, DNA methylation, miRNA, and protein biomarkers were identified in the cervical vaginal fluid; however, not all of these biomarkers are suited for development of a simple diagnostic assay.

Conclusions

Proteins, especially alpha-actinin-4, are most suited for development of a simple assay for cervical (pre)cancer. Accuracy of the test could further be improved by combination of several proteins or by combination with a new type of biomarker, e.g., originating from the cervicovaginal microbiome or metabolome.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 expression in human amnion mesenchymal and epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to define the cellular site of expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in human amnion by an evaluation of the levels of messenger ribonucleic acids in separated amnion epithelial and mesenchymal cells and to ascertain whether amnion epithelial and mesenchymal cells maintained in culture continue to express tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase messenger ribonucleic acids.

STUDY DESIGN

Human placentas and fetal membranes were obtained immediately after delivery. Amnion tissue was separated from chorion laeve and either frozen immediately (-80 degrees C) or processed by differential enzymatic treatment to separate the epithelial and mesenchymal cells, which were frozen (-80 degrees C) or else plated and maintained in monolayer culture. The levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase types 1 and 2 messenger ribonucleic acid were evaluated by Northern analyses of total ribonucleic acid extracted from amnion tissue, freshly separated epithelial and mesenchymal cells, and epithelial and mesenchymal cells in monolayer culture.

RESULTS

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase types 1 and 2 messenger ribonucleic acids were detected by Northern analysis in freshly isolated amnion tissues from midtrimester and term pregnancies. The major species of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 messenger ribonucleic acid was 0.9 kb in length; a minor species of approximately 3.5 kb also was present. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 messenger ribonucleic acids of 3.5 and 1.0 kb and of similar intensity were also detected. The levels of type 1 messenger ribonucleic acid were not different in amnion tissues obtained at term or during the midtrimester of pregnancy. The levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase type 2 messenger ribonucleic acids in amnion tissue most commonly were greater at term than in tissues obtained during the midtrimester. The level of type 1 messenger ribonucleic acid in mesenchymal cells was appreciably greater than that in epithelial cells, and this difference was maintained during culture of these cells. The level of type 2 messenger ribonucleic acid was similar in both cell types and was maintained during culture. The levels of type 1 or 2 messenger ribonucleic acids were not affected by treatment of amnion epithelial or mesenchymal cells in culture with a variety of test agents, including steroid hormones, cytokines, and growth factors.

CONCLUSION

The amnion mesenchymal cells are the primary source of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in human amnion, whereas both cell types have the potential to produce tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2.