title: The expression levels of stem cell markers importin13, c-kit, CD146, and telomerase are decreased in endometrial polyps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To investigate the expression levels of importin13 (IPO13), c-kit, CD146, telomerase, caspase-3, bcl-2 and bax in endometrial polyps (EPs).
  
  
  METHODS
  We detected the mRNA expression levels of IPO13, c-kit, bcl-2 and bax in endometrial polyps (EPs) using real-time PCR. We detected the protein expression levels of IPO13, telomerase, CD146, caspase-3, bcl-2 and bax in EPs using S-P (Streptavidin-Peroxidase) immunohistochemistry. Western blotting was performed to determine the levels of importin13 and bcl-2 proteins in EPs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression levels of IPO13, c-kit, telomerase, caspase3, and bax were lower in the EP tissue compared to normal endometrial tissue during the proliferation and secretion phases of the menstrual cycle (p<0.05). The expression of CD146 was decreased in the EP tissue compared to the normal endometrial tissue during the proliferation phase of the menstrual cycle (p<0.05). The expression of bcl-2 was increased in the EP tissue compared to the normal endometrial tissue during the proliferation and secretion phases of the menstrual cycle (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expression levels of IPO13, c-kit, telomerase, caspase3, and bax were decreased; however, the expression of bcl-2 was increased in the EP tissue compared to the normal endometrial tissue. These findings suggest that the development of EPs is associated with the deregulated activities of the endometrial stem/progenitor cells and the decreased apoptosis of endometrial cells, with the latter being the major factor involved in the development of EPs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Jianguo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D051929:CD146 Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028884:Karyopherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D051929:CD146 Antigen; C527880:IPO13 protein, human; D028884:Karyopherins; C497902:MCAM protein, human; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; D019098:Telomerase; D053148:Caspase 3