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Updated: Dec 9, 2025
Imaging of Estrogen Receptor-α in Rat Pial Arterioles using a Digital Immunofluorescent Microscope
Published on: November 29, 2011
Accurate assessment of estrogen receptor profiles in non-functioning pituitary adenomas using RT-digital PCR and
Yujiro Hattori1, Hirotaka Ishii2, Shigeyuki Tahara3
1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Neurological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
Background:
Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are common pituitary tumors, and surgery is generally the only treatment option. Few attempts have been made to explore target molecules for the development of NFPA pharmacological treatments.
Method:
We quantitatively assessed the expression profiles of estrogen receptor (ER) transcripts and proteins in NFPA samples, using reverse transcription-digital polymerase chain reaction (RT-dPCR) and immunohistochemistry, and further investigated the correlations between the expression levels of ER and those of downstream responsive genes. All patients had undergone surgery at the same high-volume hospital. A total of 20 patients with NFPAs were included. All patients were new-onset, and none were diagnosed with intratumoral hemorrhages or cysts.
Results:
NFPA samples exhibited a bimodal ESR1 expression pattern and were categorized into significantly different high- and low-ESR1 expression level groups (P < 0.05). In contrast, expression levels of ESR1 variants and ESR2 could barely be detected. Similar results were obtained through the immunohistochemical staining of NFPAs, using well-validated antibodies against ERs. The expression levels of ESR1 positively correlated with those of GREB1, an estrogen-responsive gene [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.623, P = 0.003].
Conclusions:
ESR1 expression levels in NFPAs exhibited a bimodal pattern and were positively correlated with GREB1 expression levels. The accurate assessment of ER expression levels may further advance future NFPA-related research.
Insights
Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) shows a bimodal expression in non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs), correlating with the estrogen-responsive gene GREB1. This finding may guide future NFPA pharmacological treatments.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are common tumors with limited treatment options beyond surgery.
- Pharmacological treatment development for NFPAs requires identification of suitable molecular targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression profiles of estrogen receptors (ER) in NFPAs.
- To explore the correlation between ER expression and downstream responsive genes in NFPAs.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative assessment of estrogen receptor (ER) transcripts and proteins in 20 NFPA samples using RT-dPCR and immunohistochemistry.
- Investigation of correlations between ER expression levels and downstream responsive genes, including GREB1.
Main Results:
- NFPA samples displayed a bimodal expression pattern for ESR1, with distinct high and low expression groups.
- ESR1 expression positively correlated with the estrogen-responsive gene GREB1 (r=0.623, P=0.003).
- Expression of ESR1 variants and ESR2 was minimal in NFPA samples.
Conclusions:
- ESR1 expression in NFPAs follows a bimodal distribution and is linked to GREB1 expression.
- Understanding ER expression patterns is crucial for advancing NFPA research and potential therapeutic strategies.
