title: Expression of leptin and its receptor in female breast cancer in relation with selected apoptotic markers.
abstract: Leptin and its receptor may be engaged in pathogenesis of breast cancer among various human tumors. In vitro investigations showed leptin-mediated escalation of estrogen synthesis and boosted activity of estrogen receptor ERalpha. Furthermore, leptin induced growth of malignant cells, counteracted apoptosis and stimulated cell migration as well as overexpression of angiogenic factors and degrading enzymes that split network of intercellular matrix. On the other side, leptin has been reported to favor apoptosis, lately. Proapoptotic effect of leptin action was revealed in interstitial cells of bone marrow and adipocytes. Our past reports provide evidences for overexpression of leptin and its receptor in breast cancer in comparison with benign mammary lesions. In current study we aimed at assessment of eventual relationships between leptin, leptin receptor and selected protein regulators of apoptosis in breast cancer. We applied immunohistochemistry for leptin, leptin receptor, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL as well as pro-apoptotic Bak and Bax expression assessment in 106 cases of human breast cancers. The immunoreaction was graded and statistically evaluated. Expression of leptin was positively correlated with Bcl-xL, Bak and Bax (p<0.001, r=0.614; p<0.001, r=0.518; p<0.001, r=0.511, respectively). Statistical significances were noted between expression of leptin receptor and Bcl-xL or Bax (p=0.011, r=0.210; p<0.001, r=0.313, respectively). No correlation was encountered between leptin and Bcl-2, either leptin receptor and Bcl-2 or leptin receptor and Bak. On the basis of obtained results, leptin system could interfere in balance among expressions of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins and regulate cell turnover and--by means of it--facilitate breast cancer progression.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Pathomorphology, Medical University of Białystok, Poland. kodamar@zeus.amb.edu.pl
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koda
authors.forename: Mariola
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sulkowska
authors.forename: Luiza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kanczuga-Koda
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jarzabek
authors.forename: Stanislaw
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sulkowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020738:Leptin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D020738:Leptin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin