Metallothionein and RCAS1 expression in comparison to immunological cells activity in endometriosis, endometrial adenocarcinoma and endometrium according to menstrual cycle changes.
OBJECTIVE
Endometrium is a specialized organ in which phenomena controlling the level of cell proliferation and apoptosis are marked. The aim of our study was to determine the presence of proteins involved in apoptosis and proliferation: RCAS1, MT and the number of CD56-positive cells and their activity to elucidate their possible role in the development of adenocarcinoma and endometriosis.


METHODS
MT, RCAS1, CD56-positivity and CD69 expression were assessed in 55 tissue samples by Western blot and immunohistochemistry methods.


RESULTS
We found that endometrium during secretory menstrual cycle phase is characterized by significantly higher RCAS1 and higher MT expression than in proliferative phase. The number of CD56-positive cells and the CD69 antigen expression was significantly increased. Endometrial adenocarcinoma was characterized by significantly increased RCAS1 expression, while MT expression was comparable to the level found in the secretory phase. The number of CD56-positive cells was significantly decreased and their activity was comparable to the level found in the secretory phase. Endometriosis was accompanied by significantly lower RCAS1 and MT expressions, with lower number of CD-56 positive cells and lower expression of CD69 antigen in comparison to the secretory phase.


CONCLUSIONS
The ability of endometrium to determine cytotoxic activity (RCAS1 expression changes) and high protection against DNA damage (MT expression) with concomitant changes in the number of immune cells and their activity, observed in normal endometrium during the menstrual cycle phases seems to be fundamental for pathological features of endometrial adenocarcinoma and endometriosis.
Wicherek
Lukasz
L
Gynecology and Infertility Clinic of Jagiellonian University, 23 Kopernika Street, 31-501 Krakow, Poland. mowicher@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Popiela
Tadeusz J
TJ
Galazka
Krystyna
K
Dutsch-Wicherek
Magdalena
M
Opławski
Marcin
M
Basta
Antoni
A
Klimek
Marek
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D004249:DNA Damage; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008668:Metallothionein; D000099192:CD69 Antigens; C120762:EBAG9 protein, human