Toppari J, Kaipia A, Kaleva M, Laato M, de Kretser D M, Krummen L A, Mather J P, Salmi T T
Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku, Finland.
APMIS. 1998 Jan;106(1):101-12; discussion 112-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1998.tb01325.x.
Inhibin is a potential tumour suppressor gene product in the gonads. While inhibin gene products may have a role in tumourigenesis, serum inhibin levels can be used as a marker for ovarian tumours derived from granulosa cells. Tumours derived from Sertoli cells, testicular counterparts of granulosa cells, are rare. To assess whether inhibin could be used as a human Sertoli cell tumour marker, serum inhibin and activin levels and inhibin subunit mRNA expression in the testis were studied. Northern blot and in situ hybridization revealed abundant expression of inhibin alpha, beta A, and beta B subunit mRNAs in large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumours found in a 12-year old boy with Carney complex. The tumours were multifocal and bilateral. Serum inhibin levels were clearly elevated at the time of the diagnosis, decreased by 50% after one of the testes was removed, and were low or undetectable after the second orchidectomy six weeks later. Activin was undetectable before the orchidectomies, while a low concentration of activin-A was measured after them. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration increased from normal pubertal value to castration level as expected. Normal seminiferous tubules also showed inhibin subunit alpha and beta B mRNA expression, whereas inhibin beta A mRNA was expressed in normal Leydig cells. These data suggest that serum inhibin reflects Sertoli cell activity and can be used as a human tumour marker.
抑制素是性腺中一种潜在的肿瘤抑制基因产物。虽然抑制素基因产物可能在肿瘤发生中起作用，但血清抑制素水平可作为源自颗粒细胞的卵巢肿瘤的标志物。源自支持细胞（颗粒细胞的睾丸对应物）的肿瘤很罕见。为了评估抑制素是否可作为人类支持细胞瘤的标志物，研究了血清抑制素和激活素水平以及睾丸中抑制素亚基mRNA的表达。Northern印迹和原位杂交显示，在一名患有卡尼综合征的12岁男孩的大细胞钙化支持细胞瘤中，抑制素α、βA和βB亚基mRNA大量表达。肿瘤为多灶性且双侧性。诊断时血清抑制素水平明显升高，一侧睾丸切除后降低50%，六周后第二次睾丸切除后则很低或检测不到。睾丸切除术前未检测到激活素，术后检测到低浓度的激活素A。促卵泡激素（FSH）浓度如预期从正常青春期值升高到去势水平。正常生精小管也显示抑制素亚基α和βB mRNA表达，而抑制素βA mRNA在正常睾丸间质细胞中表达。这些数据表明血清抑制素反映支持细胞活性，可作为人类肿瘤标志物。
