Expression of adrenomedullin in human ovaries, ovarian cysts and cancers. Correlation with estrogens receptor status.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of adrenomedullin (AM) in benign and malignant ovarian tissues and its correlation with estrogen receptors (ERs) mRNA status.


METHODS
Ovarian carcinoma cell lines, normal ovaries, serous cysts and cancers were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in order to quantify adrenomedullin and ERs mRNAs expression. Some ovarian samples were submitted to laser-capture microdissection to determine the differential expression of target genes in epithelium and stroma.


RESULTS
Ovarian cancer cells express adrenomedullin mRNA for both the ligand and receptor and produce the peptide. In tumors, the ER alpha/beta ratio was higher than in other tissues. Correlations were found between ER alpha and ER beta mRNA and adrenomedullin mRNA expression in tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
Adrenomedullin may be involved in both normal and malignant tissue growth through both vascular and growth factor effects. Because of the correlations with ERs status, there is emerging evidence that ovarian cancer is endocrine-related.
Giacalone
Pierre Ludovic
PL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, University of Montpellier, 371 rue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. pl.giacalone@wanadoo.fr
Vuaroqueaux
Vincent
V
Daurés
Jean Pierre
JP
Houafic
L'houcine
L
Martin
Pierre Marie
PM
Laffargue
François
F
Maudelonde
Thierry
T
D053607:Adrenomedullin; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000737:chemistry*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D010053:Ovary / Q000737:chemistry*; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D010455:Peptides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D053607:Adrenomedullin