Increased expression of one isoform of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein in peritoneal fluid of women with uterine leiomyomas.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the peritoneal fluid (PF) proteome of women with and without uterine leiomyomas.


METHODS
PF samples were collected at laparoscopy from 14 women with uterine leiomyomas and 14 patients without leiomyomas who underwent tubal sterilization. PF samples were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, silver stained, digitally captured, and compared by computerised analysis. Protein spots with aberrant expression in PF of women with leiomyomas were identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
One isoform of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein (LRGm), one immunoglobulin light chain, and one unidentified protein (pI: 5.62; M(r): 51.1 kDa) had significantly higher expression in PF of women with leiomyomas. Two isoforms of fibrinogen gamma chain had decreased expression in PF of women with uterine leiomyomas. Following Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, the aberrant expressions of LRGm and of one isoform of fibrinogen gamma chain was confirmed. The expression of these molecules was not affected by the phase of the menstrual cycle.


CONCLUSIONS
Uterine leiomyomas are associated with changes in proteins present within the peritoneal fluid. The physiopathological relevance of the increased expression of LRGm in PF of women with uterine leiomyomas remains unclear.
Ferrero
Simone
S
Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, St. Bartholomew's School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 48-53 St. Bartholomew's Close, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, UK. dr@simoneferrero.com
Gillott
David J
DJ
Remorgida
Valentino
V
Anserini
Paola
P
Ragni
Nicola
N
Grudzinskas
Jurgis G
JG
D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D006023:Glycoproteins; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains; C015246:LRG1 protein, human; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D005340:Fibrinogen