Expression of the inhibin-alpha subunit in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrial tissue: an immunohistochemical analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Determination of the frequency and tissue distribution of inhibin-alpha (INH-alpha) in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium.


METHODS
Endometrial tissue was obtained from normal, hyperplastic (glandular-cystic hyperplasia), adenomatous hyperplasia (AH grade I to III) and endometroid adenocarcinoma and immunohistochemically characterized with INH-alpha antibody.


RESULTS
INH-alpha was expressed in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium. Highest expression was observed during secretory phase and glandular-cystic hyperplasia compared to all groups. A continuous decline was noted from AH grade I to III with a significance between AH I and II.


CONCLUSIONS
A menstrual cycle associated expression of INH-alpha in glandular endometrial epithelium was observed. Since AH grade II and III can be considered as a precursor of endometrial cancer, INH-alpha could be a marker of cell transformation and an endometrial tumor-suppressor agent.
Mylonas
Ioannis
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
Makovitzky
Josef
J
Richter
Dagmar-Ulrike
DU
Jeschke
Udo
U
Briese
Volker
V
Friese
Klaus
K
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007265:Inhibins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C094377:inhibin-alpha subunit; D007265:Inhibins