Expression of Apoptosis Related Proteins, P-Cadherin and Claudin-3 in Different Endometrial Lesions
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- Category: Vol. 79, September 2011
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Expression of Apoptosis Related Proteins, P-Cadherin and Claudin-3 in Different Endometrial Lesions,AHLAM A. ABD EL-MAKSOUD and AHMED M. FAHMY
Abstract
Objective: Endometrial adenocarcinomas are the eighth leading cause of cancer deaths in women in developed coun-tries, with several well-established prognostic factors. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of apoptosis related proteins (survivin, PTEN and Fas) as well as P-cadherin and claudin-3 in normal, hyperplastic and endometrial carcinoma to investigate their role in endometrial carcinogenesis and to explore their correlations with clinico-pathological parameters of endometrial cancer.
Material and Methods: Forty paraffin embedded tissues of endometrial carcinoma and 15 of endometrial hyperplasia (4 simple, 3 complex and 8 atypical) were studied using immunohistochemistry with antibodies against survivin, PTEN, Fas, P-cadherin and claudin-3.
Results: The expression of apoptosis related proteins (survivin and Fas) as well as P-cadherin and claudin-3 in-creased progressively from normal proliferative endometrium to atypical hyperplasia to endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EECA) (p<0.05). PTEN expression in cyclical endometrium and non atypical hyperplasia was higher than in atypical endometrial hyperplasia (ACH) and EECA (p<0.05). Survivin, Fas, claudin-3 and p-cadherin expression was significantly correlated with myometrial invasion (p<0.05). Fas and P-cadherin expression was significantly correlated with FIGO grade (p<0.01). Survivin, Fas and P-cadherin expression was significantly correlated with FIGO stage (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Lack of PTEN expression may be the earliest event in endometrial carcinogenesis. Survivin may reflect an important mechanism in tumor progression of the endometrial mucosa. Fas-related apoptotic pathway is also involved in the regulation of apoptosis in the endometrial tissue and promotes the development and progression of endometrial neoplasia. Overexpression of P-cadherin is involved in endometrial carcinogenesis and is associated with aggressive subgroups. The expression data of claudin-3 in different premalignant and malignant endometrial alterations suggest that these proteins might serve as diagnostic and prognostic marker.