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Expression of the inhibin/activin subunits alpha (α), beta-A (βA) and beta-B (βB) in benign human endometrial polyps and tamoxifen-associated polyps

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Abstract

Background

Inhibins (INH) are dimeric glycoproteins, composed of an alpha subunit (INH-α) and one of two possible beta subunits (INH-βA or INH-βB). They have substantial roles in human reproduction and in endocrine-responsive tumours. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine the frequency and tissue distribution of INH-α, INH-βA and INH-βB in normal human endometrium and glandular-cystic endometrial polyps, and polyps caused by tamoxifen use.

Materials and methods

Tissue samples were obtained from women in the proliferative, early secretory and late secretory phase as well as glandular-cystic polyps and endometrial polyps associated with tamoxifen use (n=5 each). Immunohistochemistry with specific monoclonal antibodies, a semi-quantitative analysis and statistical evaluation was performed.

Results

INH-α, INH-βA and INH-βB were primarily observed in glandular and luminal epithelial cells, with a variant staining intensity in stromal cells. INH-α in glands was significantly higher during the early secretory phase (p<0.05) and the late secretory phase (p<0.01) than in the proliferative phase with a significant difference between the early secretory and the late secretory phases (p<0.01). INH-βA expression was significantly higher during the late secretory than the proliferative phase (p<0.05) and the late secretory than the early secretory phase (p<0.05), with no significant differences for INH-βB. Glandular-cystic polyps showed significantly lower expression of INH-α and INH-βA than the late secretory endometria (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). Additionally, tamoxifen-associated polyps also demonstrated a significantly lower expression of INH-α and INH-βA than late secretory endometria (p<0.01 and p<0.01 respectively). No statistical differences were observed between tamoxifen-associated and glandular-cystic polyps.

Discussion

INH-α, INH-βA and INH-βB were expressed in normal endometrium and endometrial polyps. A cyclical expression of INH-α and INH-βA in normal glands may reflect a functional and hormone-dependent role in human endometrium. Significant differences in staining reaction between the late secretory endometria and polyps suggest that this tissue remains in the proliferating state rather than the secretory state. Therefore, endometrial polyps may be tumours of dysregulation with mainly proliferating characteristics, being unable to synchronise with normal endometrium.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Mrs S. Höffer, Mrs F. Winzer (Rostock) and Mrs I. Wiest, Mrs C. Kuhn (Munich) for their excellent work with the endometrial samples. This study was supported in part by FORUN—University Rostock, Rostock, Germany and FöFoLe—Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany for I. Mylonas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337, Munich, Germany

    Ioannis Mylonas, Udo Jeschke, Bernd Gerber & Klaus Friese

  2. University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany

    Ioannis Mylonas

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany

    Josef Makovitzky, Anja Fernow, Dagmar-Ulrike Richter & Volker Briese

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  1. Ioannis Mylonas
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Correspondence to Udo Jeschke.

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Mylonas, I., Makovitzky, J., Fernow, A. et al. Expression of the inhibin/activin subunits alpha (α), beta-A (βA) and beta-B (βB) in benign human endometrial polyps and tamoxifen-associated polyps. Arch Gynecol Obstet 272, 59–66 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-004-0666-2

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