p16, retinoblastoma (pRb), and cyclin D1 protein expression in human endometriotic and adenomyotic lesions.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of p16, retinoblastoma (pRb), and cyclin D1 oncoproteins in endometriomas and adenomyosis.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical study for p16, pRb, and cyclin D1 proteins in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded endometriotic and adenomyotic tissues.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Tissues from 25 women with endometriomas and 31 women with adenomyosis were evaluated.


METHODS
Tissue samples were collected during gynecologic surgery and confirmed by histology to have endometriosis or adenomyosis. Nuclear expression of p16, pRb, and cyclin D1 proteins was examined by immunohistochemistry.


METHODS
Distribution and intensity of immunostaining.


RESULTS
In the proliferative phase of the cycle, p16 was detected in 77% of adenomyosis tissues but in only 15% of endometriosis tissues. Moreover, in adenomyosis samples positive for p16, 100% of the adenomyotic cells expressed p16, whereas only 10%-20% of endometriosis cells from positive cases expressed p16. In contrast, pRb was detected in 28% of endometriosis cases but not in any adenomyotic tissues. Cyclin D1 was absent in both endometriotic and adenomyotic tissue samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in oncoprotein expression between endometriotic and adenomyotic tissues provide further evidence that the pathogenesis of endometriosis is different from that of adenomyosis.
Goumenou
Anastasia G
AG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Greece.
Matalliotakis
Ioannis M
IM
Tzardi
Maria
M
Fragouli
Ivoni G
IG
Mahutte
Neal G
NG
Arici
Aydin
A
D017500:Adenovirus E1A Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D019938:Cyclin D1; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D017500:Adenovirus E1A Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; C416925:EID1 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D019938:Cyclin D1