Spatial differences in biologic activity of large uterine leiomyomata.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the growth pattern of the large uterine leiomyomata (ULM), we examined the spatial gene distributions, vessel density, proliferative activity, and hyaline degeneration.


METHODS
Tissue sections from three-dimensional large ULM, matched myometrium, and small ULM were collected and microarrayed. The spatial difference of the tumor activity was mapped in large ULM.


METHODS
University clinical research laboratory.


METHODS
Hysterectomy specimens from 7 patients with large (>10 cm) ULM and 3 patients with large (>10 cm) uterine leiomyosarcomas.


METHODS
Tissue microarray analysis by the immunohistochemistry.


METHODS
Selected gene products, vessel density, and the percentage of hyaline degeneration were all scored in tissue cores/sections of large and small ULM against matched myometrium.


RESULTS
We found that there was a spherical spatial difference of the tumor activities in large ULM. The tumor region next to the periphery, the most biologically active zone, demonstrated higher levels of gene expression, a higher density of vessels, a higher proliferative rate and a lower level of hyaline degeneration. The large ULM have higher levels of gene products (except for estrogen and progesterone receptors) than small ULM.


CONCLUSIONS
In comparison of the spatial patterns of the gene activity between the large ULM and the large uterine leiomyosarcoma, the large ULM illustrate a growth pattern of nutritional dependence.
Wei
Jian-Jun
JJ
Department of Pathology, Bellevue Hospital, New York, New York, USA. weij03@med.nyu.edu
Zhang
Xing-Min
XM
Chiriboga
Luis
L
Yee
Herman
H
Perle
Mary A
MA
Mittal
Khush
K
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D018231:Leiomyomatosis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics
D006133:Growth Substances; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A