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Insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins in benign and malignant uterine diseases
E M Rutanen1, F Pekonen, T Nyman
1Department II of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Evidence available supports the concept that the proliferative response of the uterus to oestrogen is through activation of local regulatory factors, IGFs amongst them. Oestrogen stimulates the expression of IGF-I and IGF-I receptor mRNAs, whereas progesterone induces the major endometrial IGFBP, IGFBP-1, which is proposed to act as an inhibitor of IGF actions in normal endometrium. Since both benign and malignant uterine diseases are related to oestrogen action, the hormonally regulated local IGF system may play an important role in the pathophysiology of uterine diseases. In support of this hypothesis, we found differences in the expression of IGFBP mRNAs and in the presence of translated IGFBPs between benign and malignant uterine tissues. Furthermore, receptor binding of IGF-I has been found to be higher in neoplastic uterine tissues compared to normal tissues.
Evidence available supports the concept that the proliferative response of the uterus to oestrogen is through activation of local regulatory factors, IGFs amongst them. Oestrogen stimulates the expression of IGF-I and IGF-I receptor mRNAs, whereas progesterone induces the major endometrial IGFBP, IGFBP-1, which is proposed to act as an inhibitor of IGF actions in normal endometrium. Since both benign and malignant uterine diseases are related to oestrogen action, the hormonally regulated local IGF system may play an important role in the pathophysiology of uterine diseases. In support of this hypothesis, we found differences in the expression of IGFBP mRNAs and in the presence of translated IGFBPs between benign and malignant uterine tissues. Furthermore, receptor binding of IGF-I has been found to be higher in neoplastic uterine tissues compared to normal tissues.