The cytoskeletal proteins alpha-actinin, Ezrin, and talin are De-expressed in endometriosis and endometrioid carcinoma compared with normal uterine epithelium

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2007 Jun;15(2):170-4. doi: 10.1097/01.pai.0000194762.78889.26.

Abstract

In this retrospective study on banked tissue, we found that alpha-actinin and talin were completely de-expressed in both endometriosis and endometrioid carcinoma tissue. Some patchy, depolarized labeling for ezrin was noted in the endometrioid carcinoma but not in endometriosis. The loss of these proteins in both endometriosis and endometrioid carcinoma tissue indicates a significant change in the integrity of these tissues compared with normal and the possibility that individual cells may break away from the parent histology due to loss of cell adhesion. It also indicates a similarity between endometrioid cancer and endometriosis with respect to epithelial cell function and adhesion.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Actinin / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / pathology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Endometriosis / metabolism*
  • Endometriosis / pathology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Genital Diseases, Female / metabolism*
  • Genital Diseases, Female / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Talin / metabolism
  • Uterus / cytology
  • Uterus / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Talin
  • ezrin
  • Actinin