Expression of c-myc and c-fms oncogenes in trophoblastic cells in hydatidiform mole and normal human placenta.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the expression of c-myc and c-fms proto-oncogenes in the placenta and hydatidiform mole.


METHODS
Twelve hydatidiform moles and six induced abortion cases were collected. c-myc and c-fms proto-oncogene expression was analysed by northern blot hybridisation and immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
The results of northern blot hybridisation analysis showed that c-fms was expressed more strongly in hydatidiform moles compared with normal placenta of similar gestational age. Moreover, c-fms mRNA concentrations increased with more advanced gestational age in moles but not in normal placentas. c-myc expression was very low in hydatidiform moles and normal placentas. Both oncogenes, however, had no direct correlation with the clinical course of the molar pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
The difference in c-fms expression between hydatidiform moles and normal placentas suggests that c-fms may have a role in the development of molar pregnancies.
Cheung
A N
AN
Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital.
Srivastava
G
G
Pittaluga
S
S
Man
T K
TK
Ngan
H
H
Collins
R J
RJ
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry*; D011247:Pregnancy; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016186:Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000737:chemistry*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016186:Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor