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Cathepsin D expression in normal, hyperplastic and malignant endometrial tissue: an immunohistochemical analysis
Ioannis Mylonas1, Josef Makovitzky, Dagmar-Ulrike Richter
1First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany. ioannis_mylonas@gmx.de
Acta Histochemica
|September 19, 2003
Summary
Cathepsin D (CathD) is present in normal and hyperplastic endometrium, varying with the menstrual cycle. Highest expression occurred in late secretory phase and hyperplasia, with significantly lower levels in endometrial adenocarcinoma, suggesting potential roles in malignant transformation.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cathepsin D (CathD), a lysosomal aspartyl protease, is secreted by various cells and implicated in extracellular matrix degradation.
- Understanding CathD's role in endometrial physiology and pathology is crucial for diagnosing and treating endometrial disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency and tissue distribution of CathD in normal, hyperplastic, and malignant endometrial tissues.
- To evaluate the correlation between CathD expression and different phases of the menstrual cycle, hyperplasia grades, and endometrial cancer.
Main Methods:
- Paraffin-fixed endometrial tissues from premenopausal women across different cycle phases, hyperplasia types, and adenocarcinoma were analyzed.
- CathD expression was quantified using the IRS score, with statistical evaluation via ANOVA.
Main Results:
- CathD was predominantly localized in endometrial luminal and glandular epithelium.
- Expression levels were significantly higher in the late secretory phase compared to the proliferative phase.
- Highest CathD expression was observed in the late secretory phase and glandular-cystic hyperplasia, while endometroid adenocarcinoma showed minimal expression.
- A continuous increase in CathD expression was noted in adenomatous hyperplasia (AH) grades, with a significant difference between grade I and III.
Conclusions:
- CathD is expressed in normal and hyperplastic endometrium, with its expression varying cyclically, suggesting a role in endometrial maturation and degradation.
- The decreased expression in adenocarcinomas indicates its prognostic value may be uncertain.
- The increasing trend of CathD expression in AH, particularly grade III, suggests its potential as a biomarker for assessing endometrial malignant transformation.