Immunohistochemical evaluation of COX-2 expression in HPV-positive cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions

Vol. 52 No. 1 Suppl., 2011
This supplement was not sponsored by Outside Organizations.

ROMANIAN JOURNAL of MORPHOLOGY and EMBRYOLOGY

Raluca Balan, Cornelia Amalinei, Simona Eliza Giusca, D. Ditescu, V. Gheorghita, E. Crauciuc, Irina-Draga Caruntu

Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) regulates the prostaglandins production and it seems to have a role in the onset and progression of different malignant tumors, being overexpressed in numerous human malignancies and premalignant conditions. Some cellular elements from chronic inflammatory processes, together with stromal cells may be involved in neoplastic transformation of proliferative stem cells and in the process of tumor invasion. Cervical carcinoma, as a commonly pattern of different tumors, can express COX-2 in association with glutathione-S-transferase isoenzymes and can be considered as possible molecular targets in antitumoral therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions of low-grade (LSIL) and high-grade (HSIL), with morphologic evidence of HPV infection. Immunostains with COX-2 antibodies were performed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 20 cervical biopsies: 10 with LSIL histopathologic diagnosis and 10 with HSIL histopathologic diagnosis. All LSIL biopsies and four HSIL cases (equivalent to CIN2) presented also intermediate squamous cells, with pathognomonic morphology of HPV infection (koilocytes). The Allred immunohistochemical score for the intensity of staining and the percent of cells stained was assigned. The slides were scored by three independent pathologists and compared across histological categories. Regarding the intensity of cytoplasmic COX-2 immunostaining, a weaker expression was observed in specimens with LSIL and a stronger one in those diagnosed with HSIL, the highest score being noted in HSIL corresponding to CIN3 lesions. The increase of COX-2 expression in cervical cancer precursors certifies that COX-2 may have a role in the development and progression of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions.

Corresponding author: Irina-Draga Caruntu, Professor, MD, PhD, e-mail: irina_caruntu@yahoo.com

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ROMANIAN JOURNAL of MORPHOLOGY and EMBRYOLOGY

O. T. Pop, Corina Gabriela Cotoi, I. E. Plesea, Mihaela Gherghiceanu, S. D. Enache, E. Mandache, Gratiela Hortopan, R. M. Plesea

The authors evaluated possible morphological changes of basement membrane (BM) and lamina propria (LP) of seminferous tubule wall (ST) related to ageing. Surgical samples of testicular tissue from 28 cases with orchiectomy for prostate adenocarcinoma were processed for light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination. Seven age groups (AgGr) between 50 and 80 years were designed. Tissue samples were immunomarked for collagen IV and smooth muscle actin. Images were acquired and measured with a specialized software. Thirty ST were randomly selected, with x40-objective, for each case. Five random determinations for each ST and each parameter were performed. Mean values/tubule, case and AgGr were calculated for each parameter. Regression line (RL), slope and significance test for slope were determined for each parameter correlation with ageing. BM mean value was around 0.5 micro-m, with narrow limits of ranging in AgGr but more extended individual limits. RL showed discrete decreasing trend with ageing but without an obvious statistical correlation. LP mean value was around 6 micro-m, also with narrow limits of ranging in AgGr and more extended individual limits. RL decreased discretely with ageing but without an obvious statistical correlation. TEM showed more prominent BM material and more collagen fibers and less fibroblasts in LP of older AgGr and higher fibroblasts density in LP of younger AgGr. Our results showed that BM thickness is apparently decreasing with ageing whereas LP presents extremely variable degenerative changes, with a "mosaic", focal distribution and no tendency to advance with ageing.

Corresponding author: Iancu Emil Plesea, Professor, MD, PhD, e-mail: pie1956@yahoo.com

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