title: Expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix proteins: a macroarray study.
abstract: Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies in Poland, with well-established risk factors. Genetic instability and molecular alterations responsible for endometrial carcinogenesis have been systematically investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate, by means of cDNA macroarrays, the expression profiles of genes encoding extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in ECs. Tissue specimens were collected during surgical procedures from 40 patients with EC, and control tissue was collected from 9 patients with uterine leiomyomas. RNA was isolated and RT-PCR with radioisotope-labeled cDNA was performed. The levels of ECM protein gene expression in normal endometrial tissues were compared to the expression of these genes in EC specimens. Statistically significant differences in gene expression, stratified by clinical stage of the ECs, were detected for aggrecan, vitronectin, tenascin R, nidogen and two collagen proteins: type VIII chain α1 and type XI chain α2. All of these proteins were overexpressed in stage III endometrial carcinomas compared to levels in stage I and II uterine neoplasms. In conclusion, increased expression of genes encoding ECM proteins may play an important role in facilitating accelerated disease progression of human ECs.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Futyma
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Miotła
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Różyńska
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zdunek
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Semczuk
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rechberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wojcierowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D059467:Transcriptome
chemical_list: D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins