Estrogen receptors alpha and beta immunohistochemical expression: clinicopathological correlations in pituitary adenomas.

Abstract

AIM:

We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptors alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) in pituitary adenoma subtypes combined with clinicopathological factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Pituitary adenomas (n=75) were immunostained for ERalpha and ERbeta using the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method with a monoclonal ERalpha antibody and polyclonal ERbeta antibody.

RESULTS:

Nuclear immunoreactivity for both receptors was highest among PRL, FSH/LH, null cell, and GH adenomas. ACTH, silent subtypes I and II corticotrophs, and subtype III adenomas were the least immunoreactive for both receptors. ACTH adenomas expressed significantly less ERalpha than FSH-LH, GH, and null cell adenomas. A significantly elevated ERalpha expression was observed in macroadenomas compared to microadenomas and non-invasive compared to invasive tumors.

CONCLUSION:

ERalpha and ERbeta are differentially expressed in the various pituitary adenoma subtypes suggesting a cell-specific function for these receptors. To elucidate the role of ERalpha in tumor size and invasiveness, additional studies are required.

• Authors: B Manoranjan, F Salehi, B W Scheithauer, F Rotondo, K Kovacs, M D Cusimano
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) Vol. 30 Issue 7 Pg. 2897-904 (Jul 2010) ISSN: 1791-7530 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 20683030 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Estrogen Receptor alpha
• Estrogen Receptor beta

Topics

• Adenoma (metabolism, pathology)
• Cell Nucleus (metabolism)
• Cytoplasm (metabolism)
• Estrogen Receptor alpha (biosynthesis, metabolism)
• Estrogen Receptor beta (biosynthesis, metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Neoplasm Invasiveness
• Pituitary Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)