Disorders in Cytokine Gene Expression in Endometrial Hyperplasia and Effect of Hormone Therapy

Abstract

We studied local expression of insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin-like growth factor receptor, epithelial growth factor, transforming growth factor beta2, PCNA, TNF-alpha, type I TNF receptor, Fas, FasL, IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 genes in intact and hyperplastic endometrium. Endometrial hyperplasia was associated with reduced production of TNF-alpha (p<0.05), PCNA (p<0.05), and epithelial growth factor mRNA and enhanced production of Fas mRNA (p<0.01). The expression of TNF-R1, IL-1beta, and IL-12 genes decreased only in glandular cystic hyperplasia (p<0.05 for all genes), expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 gene decreased only in adenomatous hyperplasia (p<0.05). Dufaston therapy of glandular cystic hyperplasia and zoladex therapy of adenomatous hyperplasia normalized expression of Fas receptor, PCNA, and insulin-like growth factor 1 genes, while the expression of IFN-gamma and IL-6 genes, which was normal in hyperplasia, decreased (p<0.05). Zoladex therapy decreased the production of transforming growth factor beta2 (p<0.05) and IL-1beta (p<0.01) mRNA, dufaston therapy decreased production of TNF-alpha (p<0.05) and IL-4 mRNA (p<0.05). Hence, both apoptosis and proliferative activity were suppressed in endometrial hyperplasia, and hormone therapy created prerequisites for transition of the endometrium into the normal proliferation stage.