title: Downregulation of the integrin α(v) signaling pathway in uterine leiomyomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate alterations of integrin α(v), survival and apoptosis signaling pathways in uterine leiomyomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study of 50 women with uterine leiomyomas that had been pathologically confirmed, specimens were obtained laparoscopically from 2007 to 2009. The expressions of integrin α(v) signaling pathways (Ras/Raf/ERK1/2, Akt and cleaved caspase-3), surface microstructures by surface electron microscopy and immunohistochemical findings were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study yielded novel results: (1) the integrin α(v) expression approached a low level (mRNA 0.39 ± 0.06, protein 0.47 ± 0.08) with coherent alterations of its downstream signaling molecules (Ras, p-c-Raf, p-ERK1/2) (p < 0.001); (2) smoother surface microstructures of uterine leiomyomas were correlated with low integrin α(v) expressions, and (3) survival signaling and apoptosis signaling were significantly down- and upregulated respectively (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Integrin α(v) and related survival signaling pathways were downregulated, but the apoptosis was upregulated in uterine leiomyomas. Benign smooth-contoured tumors may have low integrin expressions and cancer invasion potentials.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Feng-Chou
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Wei-Min
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Man-Hui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Ming-Shium
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Jui-Yu
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chih-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039564:Integrin alphaV / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D017697:Premenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D039564:Integrin alphaV; D012313:RNA