title: Distinct distribution of corticotropin releasing factor receptors in human breast cancer.
abstract: The hypothalamic neuropeptide corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) has been found in several types of human cancer, where its biological role is not clarified. In experimental models of breast cancer CRF has been shown to exert anti-proliferative and other actions. Aim of the present study was to describe the expression of the two types of CRF receptors CRF(1) and CRF(2) in human breast tumors. Receptor expression was studied in breast biopsies from patients diagnosed for primary breast adenocarcinoma, obtained from the tumor and the adjacent benign tissue. Gene expression levels were evaluated by real-time PCR following reverse transcription of total RNA extracts. CRF(1) transcripts were found in 23.1% of benign and in 23.1% of malignant biopsies. CRF(2(a)) was found in 22.2% of benign and 36.0% of malignant biopsies. Transcript levels of both receptors did not differ significantly between cancer and benign biopsies from the same tumor. No correlation was found between CRF receptor expression and patient histo/clinicopathological characteristics. Histological mapping using immunohistochemistry revealed positive CRF(1) immunostaining in the cancerous implants and breast ducts, whereas CRF(2) immunoreactivity was localized mainly in the perineural invasions. In conclusion, both CRF receptors were found in breast cancer and the respective benign adjacent tissue. The two CRF receptor proteins presented distinct distribution and subcellular localization, pointing into differing biological roles. CRF receptors could serve as targets of endogenous ligands expressed in the tumor microenvironment, regulating cancer growth.
authors.affiliation: Anticancer Hospital 'Theagenio', Simeonidi 2, 54639 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaprara
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pazaitou-Panayiotou
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chemonidou
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Constantinidis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lambropoulou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koffa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiziridou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kakolyris
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kortsaris
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chatzaki
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001940:Breast / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone