Elevated hyaluronan concentration without hyaluronidase activation in malignant epithelial ovarian tumors.
The concentration and histological distribution of hyaluronan, a tumor promoting extracellular matrix polysaccharide, and the activity of hyaluronidase, a potential source of angiogenic hyaluronan oligosaccharides, were analyzed in malignant epithelial (n = 24), borderline (n = 8), benign epithelial (n = 20), functional cyst (n = 21), and normal (n = 5) tissue samples of human ovary. Hyaluronan concentration increased specifically in cancers (P = 0.001), particularly in grade 3 tumors (>49-fold) and in metastases (>89-fold). Hyaluronan staining in the tissues correlated with hyaluronan concentration (P = 0.002). Hyaluronidase activity slightly decreased from semimalignant through low grade to high grade tumors (P = 0.041). Therefore, hyaluronan accumulation, but not hyaluronidase activation, is associated with the aggressiveness of ovarian epithelial cancer.
Hiltunen
Essi L J
EL
Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, University of Kuopio and Kuopio University Hospital, 70211 Kuopio, Finland.
Anttila
Maarit
M
Kultti
Anne
A
Ropponen
Kirsi
K
Penttinen
Jorma
J
Yliskoski
Merja
M
Kuronen
Arja T
AT
Juhola
Matti
M
Tammi
Raija
R
Tammi
Markku
M
Kosma
Veli-Matti
VM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase