Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2011;71(2):129-35. doi: 10.1159/000320784. Epub 2010 Dec 9.
To investigate alterations of integrin α(v), survival and apoptosis signaling pathways in uterine leiomyomas.
In a prospective study of 50 women with uterine leiomyomas that had been pathologically confirmed, specimens were obtained laparoscopically from 2007 to 2009. The expressions of integrin α(v) signaling pathways (Ras/Raf/ERK1/2, Akt and cleaved caspase-3), surface microstructures by surface electron microscopy and immunohistochemical findings were assessed.
The study yielded novel results: (1) the integrin α(v) expression approached a low level (mRNA 0.39 ± 0.06, protein 0.47 ± 0.08) with coherent alterations of its downstream signaling molecules (Ras, p-c-Raf, p-ERK1/2) (p < 0.001); (2) smoother surface microstructures of uterine leiomyomas were correlated with low integrin α(v) expressions, and (3) survival signaling and apoptosis signaling were significantly down- and upregulated respectively (p < 0.001).
Integrin α(v) and related survival signaling pathways were downregulated, but the apoptosis was upregulated in uterine leiomyomas. Benign smooth-contoured tumors may have low integrin expressions and cancer invasion potentials.
研究整合素 α(v)、存活和凋亡信号通路在子宫肌瘤中的变化。
本前瞻性研究纳入了 50 名经病理证实的子宫肌瘤女性患者，于 2007 年至 2009 年间采用腹腔镜技术获取标本。评估整合素 α(v)信号通路（Ras/Raf/ERK1/2、Akt 和 cleaved caspase-3）、表面电子显微镜下的表面微观结构和免疫组织化学结果的表达。
本研究获得了一些新的结果：（1）整合素 α(v)的表达水平较低（mRNA 0.39±0.06，蛋白 0.47±0.08），其下游信号分子（Ras、p-c-Raf、p-ERK1/2）也发生了一致改变（p<0.001）；（2）子宫肌瘤表面更光滑的微观结构与低水平的整合素 α(v)表达相关；（3）存活信号和凋亡信号分别显著下调和上调（p<0.001）。
整合素 α(v)及其相关的存活信号通路下调，但凋亡在子宫肌瘤中上调。良性、表面光滑的肿瘤可能具有较低的整合素表达和癌症侵袭潜能。
