Down-regulation of poly(rC)-binding protein 1 correlates with the malignant transformation of hydatidiform moles.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the expression patterns of poly(rC)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1) in complete hydatidiform moles (HMs) and to determine the predictive value of PCBP1 during postmolar follow-up after uterine evacuation.


METHODS
The PCBP1 protein expression profile was investigated in 10 complete moles that remained benign, 10 complete moles that underwent malignant transformation, and 10 choriocarcinoma tissues using Western blot analysis. The PCBP1 protein expression patterns in complete HM samples gathered from 69 patients were also detected by immunohistochemical analysis. The association of PCBP1 protein expression with the progression in HMs was subsequently assessed.


RESULTS
The expression of PCBP1 was significantly lower in malignant-transformed moles than benign moles. The PCBP1 expression level was negatively associated with malignant transformation and serum human chorionic gonadotropin levels. Logistic regression analysis indicated that complete moles with high PCBP1 expression levels had a significantly lower risk of progression to gestational trophoblastic tumors (odds ratio, 0.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.67).


CONCLUSIONS
These observations suggest that PCBP1 may be important in the pathogenesis of gestational trophoblastic tumors. In addition to the β-fraction of human chorionic gonadotropin, decreased expression of PCBP1 protein may be a strong predictor of the malignant transformation of complete moles.
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Zhonghua
Z
Shi
Ting
T
Zhang
Wei
W
Long
Xin
X
Wang
Xiang
X
Zhang
Xiufeng
X
Ling
Hongjuan
H
Ding
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D034441:Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D034441:Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins; C094604:PCBP1 protein, human; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins