title: Expression of estrogen receptor α and growth factors in human prolactinoma and its correlation with clinical features and gender.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many studies demonstrate that growth factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of prolactinoma induced by estrogen. The effects of estrogen are mainly mediated through its nuclear receptor (ERα); however, expression of ERα and growth factors in prolactinoma and healthy pituitary and their relationship remain obscure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To obtain new insights regarding the expression differences of these factors and their relationship and to investigate the correlation between gender and clinical features in patients with prolactinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 21 human prolactinomas and 6 healthy human pituitaries were examined for mRNA expression of ERα, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor α (TGFα), TGFβ1, TGFβ3, and TGFβ receptor type II (TGFβRII) by means of real-time PCR. Patient clinical data was also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both PRL level and tumor volume of the male patient group were higher than that of the female patient group. There was a significant correlation between PRL level and tumor volume in the total patient group. Expression of ERα, bFGF, TGFα, and TGFβ3 mRNA levels of the patient group were significantly different from that of the control group. A significant correlation between ERα mRNA levels and PRL levels, tumor volume, TGFβ1 mRNA levels in the total patient group were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PRL level and tumor volume have a significant difference between genders in prolactinoma patients. ERα and some growth factors may be involved in the tumorigenesis of prolactinoma. ERα could potentially be an effective therapy target for treating prolactinoma.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Chongwen District, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012737:Sex Factors; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics; D047368:Tumor Burden / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C506487:ESR1 protein, human; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D011388:Prolactin