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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
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Utilizing Murine Inducible Telomerase Alleles in the Studies of Tissue Degeneration/Regeneration and Cancer
Published on: April 13, 2015
Expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase in lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Fumiyuki Kumaki1, Kazuyo Takeda, Zu-Xi Yu
1Pathology Section and Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Summary
Telomerase is present in most lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) cells, suggesting it plays a role in their proliferation. This enzyme
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Telomerase maintains chromosome ends (telomeres) during cellular replication.
- Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is characterized by abnormal smooth muscle cell proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of telomerase in LAM cell proliferation.
- To assess telomerase activity in pulmonary and extrapulmonary LAM lesions.
Main Methods:
- Immunostaining and in situ hybridization were used to detect telomerase protein and mRNA.
- Analysis was performed on lesions from 22 women with LAM.
Main Results:
- Telomerase was detected in 5-20% of LAM cells, primarily spindle-shaped cells.
- Telomerase signals were less intense in patients treated with progesterone or tamoxifen.
- Telomerase colocalized with alpha-smooth muscle actin but rarely with HMB-45.
Conclusions:
- Telomerase-positive LAM cells may be responsible for cell renewal.
- Modulating telomerase activity could potentially control LAM cell proliferation.
