Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Three-dimensional Alginate-bead Culture of Human Pituitary Adenoma Cells
Published on: February 18, 2016
The relationship between MRI invasive features and expression of EMMPRIN, galectin-3, and microvessel density in
Yinian Zhang1, Ning He, Junlin Zhou
1Center for Ultrasound, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 1665 Kong Jiang Road, Shanghai 200092, China.
Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the expression of the molecular markers, extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), galectin-3, and microvessel density (MVD) with MRI invasive features in invasive and noninvasive pituitary adenomas. MRI was performed preoperatively in 34 patients with histologically verified pituitary adenomas. The expression of EMMPRIN, galectin-3, and MVD was determined by using immunohistochemical techniques on excised surgical specimen from all patients. Correlative analyses between invasive MRI features and expression of EMMPRIN, galectin-3, and MVD were determined between invasive and noninvasive pituitary adenomas. Among MRI invasive features, adenoma crossing the lateral line (LL) of the internal carotid artery (ICA), percentage of intracavernous ICA encasement by the tumor over 50%, sphenoidal sinus invasion, irregular tumor shape, and bilateral ICA asymmetry correlated with increased expression of EMMPRIN and galectin-3 (P<.05), but tumor cystic necrosis and tumor apoplexy did not correlate with EMMPRIN and galectin-3 expression (P>.05). The invasive MRI features did not correlate with MVD expression. This study demonstrated that EMMPRIN and galectin-3 were associated with aggressiveness and invasion by pituitary adenoma. Furthermore, EMMPRIN and galectin-3 were two potential molecular markers for assessing the invasive potential of pituitary adenoma and may provide useful targets for molecular therapeutic strategy against invasive pituitary adenomas.
Insights
Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and galectin-3 show increased expression in invasive pituitary adenomas. These molecular markers may help assess pituitary adenoma invasiveness and guide therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Oncology
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- Pituitary adenomas are common tumors, with invasive subtypes posing significant clinical challenges.
- Accurate assessment of pituitary adenoma invasiveness is crucial for treatment planning and prognosis.
- Current diagnostic methods may not fully capture the molecular underpinnings of tumor invasion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between specific molecular markers (EMMPRIN, galectin-3, MVD) and MRI-defined invasive features in pituitary adenomas.
- To determine if these markers can differentiate between invasive and noninvasive pituitary adenomas.
- To explore the potential of EMMPRIN and galectin-3 as predictive biomarkers for pituitary adenoma aggressiveness.
Main Methods:
- Preoperative MRI was performed on 34 patients with pituitary adenomas.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of excised tumor tissue was used to assess EMMPRIN, galectin-3, and microvessel density (MVD).
- Correlative analyses were conducted between MRI-derived invasive features and the expression levels of the molecular markers.
Main Results:
- Increased expression of EMMPRIN and galectin-3 correlated significantly with several invasive MRI features, including internal carotid artery involvement and sinus invasion.
- Tumor cystic necrosis and apoplexy did not correlate with EMMPRIN or galectin-3 expression.
- Microvessel density (MVD) did not show a significant correlation with any of the assessed invasive MRI features.
Conclusions:
- EMMPRIN and galectin-3 are associated with the aggressiveness and invasive behavior of pituitary adenomas.
- These molecular markers show promise as potential indicators of invasive pituitary adenoma potential.
- EMMPRIN and galectin-3 may serve as valuable targets for future molecular therapeutic strategies against invasive pituitary adenomas.
