Identification of genes with higher expression in human uterine leiomyomas than in the corresponding myometrium

We used a PCR-based subtraction method, representational difference analysis of cDNA (cDNA--RDA), to identify genes with a higher expression in leiomyomas in comparison with the corresponding myometrium during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Increased expression of the genes for pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPPA), tomoregulin, cellular retinoid acid binding protein 1 (CRABP1), zinc finger protein 185 (ZFP 185) and latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 2 (LTBP2) was demonstrated in individual leiomyoma samples compared with corresponding myometrium. Additionally, a specific positive immunostaining of LTBP2 was found in the smooth muscle cells of both leiomyomas and myometrium. These genes may be part of previously unidentified molecular mechanisms responsible for the selective growth advantage of leiomyomas compared with myometrium. This work expands our knowledge about the molecular nature of leiomyomas and provides novel candidate genes to further explore in relation to their function during leiomyoma growth.