Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitors (HAI-1 and HAI-2) are potential targets in uterine leiomyosarcoma

Int J Oncol. 2010 Sep;37(3):605-14. doi: 10.3892/ijo_00000709.

Abstract

Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitors (HAI-1 and HAI-2) are Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors that have a broad inhibitory spectrum against serine proteases. This study examined the role of HAI-1 and HAI-2 in uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) patients, and in vitro. HAI-1 and HAI-2 was examined in uterine normal smooth muscle, leiomyoma and LMS specimens using immunohistochemistry. We investigated biological functions and inhibitory effects of HAI-1 and HAI-2 using uterine LMS cell line SK-LMS-1 and SKN. The expression levels of HAI-1 and HAI-2 were significantly decreased in uterine LMS specimens relative to corresponding uterine normal smooth muscle and leiomyoma specimens. Furthermore, the low HAI-1 and HAI-2 expression was a significant predictor for poor prognosis when compared with high HAI-1 and HAI-2 expression (disease-free survival rate; p=0.024 and p=0.045, overall survival rate; p=0.043 and p=0.009). HAI-1 and HAI-2 showed potential inhibitory effects that mediated cell proliferation, migration and cellular invasion which led to apoptosis and necrosis through a reduction of HGFA, matriptase and hepsin expression. These findings indicate that HAI-1 and HAI-2 may be possible tumor suppressor genes for uterine LMS and thus, both could be considered therapeutic agents for the treatment of LMS.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cell Aggregation / physiology
  • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Leiomyosarcoma / enzymology*
  • Leiomyosarcoma / genetics
  • Leiomyosarcoma / pathology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Prognosis
  • Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory / biosynthesis
  • Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory / genetics
  • Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Uterine Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / genetics
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory
  • SPINT1 protein, human
  • SPINT2 protein, human