PLIN2: a potential prognostic markers of early-stage atypical endometrial hyperplasia

In the background of endometrial hyperplasia triggered by obesity and estrogen, could the perilipin 2 (PLIN2) serve as a possible prognostic marker for early atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH)?

A retrospective study examined blood lipid levels in endometrial cancer (EC) or AEH patients. An AEH mice model was established administrating with estradiol and/or high-fat (HF) diet. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were employed to assess pathological changes in the endometrium. Immunohistochemical staining were employed to evaluate the expression of adipose metabolism and endometrial hyperplasia proteins. The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, cell colony-forming assays, and western blotting were utilized to verify the impact of oleic acid (OA) on HEC-1A cells.

The retrospective study revealed elevated blood lipid levels among patients with EC or AEH. Prolonged HF diet stimulated the endometrium to exhibit features of complex atypical hyperplasia. In the early stage, PLIN2 (p=0.006) expression significantly increased with endometrial glandular hyperplasia. Both PLIN2 (p=0.008) and progesterone receptor (PR; p=0.019) exhibited elevated expression concurrent with simple endometrial hyperplasia. When AEH occurred, there were notable rise in the expression of PLIN2 (p<0.001), PR (p=0.044), and estrogen receptor (p=0.045). The atypical hyperplasia glands demonstrated notably elevated PLIN2 expression in comparison to surrounding normal glands in AEH lesions. OA was found to enhance the proliferation and clonal formation of HEC-1A cells. HEC-1A cells induced by OA demonstrated elevated autophagy levels accompanied by enhanced expression of PLIN2.

PLIN2 may potentially serve as a biomarker for early development of AEH and EC, facilitating diagnosis and intervention and contributing to the determination of prognosis.