Endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 as an invasiveness marker for pituitary null cell adenoma

Shousen Wang,Liangfeng Wei,Jianhe Zhang,Zhifeng Wu

doi:10.1186/s12902-019-0418-8

Shousen Wang, Liangfeng Wei + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-019-0418-8

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Abstract

BackgroundEndothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1) is a biomarker associated with tumor progression in pituitary adenoma. We specifically focused on one type of pituitary adenoma, namely null cell adenoma (NCA) and evaluated the relationship between invasion and ESM-1 expression in both vascular endothelial and adenoma tissues.MethodsTissue samples from 94 patients with pituitary NCA were obtained through microscopic transsphenoidal resection. Tumor size and invasion were determined through preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect ESM-1 expression. ESM-1 index of ≥3 was defined as high expression.ResultsSigns of invasion were observed in 46 (47.9%) of the 94 patients. Significant differences were observed in the invasion state and maximum tumor diameter between high and low expression of ESM-1 in vascular endothelial tissues (both P < 0.05). Significant positive associations were noted between ESM-1 expression in vascular endothelial tissues and tumor invasion (P = 0.002) and tumor size (P = 0.020). However, only tumor size was associated with ESM-1 expression in adenoma tissues (P = 0.016).ConclusionIn NCA, a significant positive association between tumor invasion and ESM-1 expression was observed only in vascular endothelial tissues, suggesting that tumor progression occurs mainly through ESM-1-associated mechanism.

Highlights

Endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1) is a biomarker associated with tumor progression in pituitary adenoma
Some studies have found that several crucial biomarkers of angiogenesis, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD34, were widely expressed in pituitary adenoma [12, 13]; other studies have indicated that compared with the normal pituitary gland tissue, pituitary adenoma had lower angiogenesis and CD34/CD105 microvessel density (MVD) [14,15,16,17]
Significant positive associations were observed between ESM-1 expression in vascular endothelial tissues and tumor invasion (P = 0.002) and tumor size (P = 0.020)

Summary

Introduction

Endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1) is a biomarker associated with tumor progression in pituitary adenoma. We focused on one type of pituitary adenoma, namely null cell adenoma (NCA) and evaluated the relationship between invasion and ESM-1 expression in both vascular endothelial and adenoma tissues. The production and secretion of ESM-1 are regulated by proangiogenic molecules, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) [3,4,5], both of which are possible markers of angiogenesis. ESM-1 is a biomarker associated with tumor progression in various types of Whether angiogenesis plays a key role in tumor initiation and progression in pituitary adenoma remains controversial, and until now, mechanisms underlying angiogenesis in pituitary adenoma are debatable. The relationship among angiogenesis, tumor initiation, and ESM-1 expression in pituitary adenoma should be Some studies have found that several crucial biomarkers of angiogenesis, including VEGF and CD34, were widely expressed in pituitary adenoma [12, 13]; other studies have indicated that compared with the normal pituitary gland tissue, pituitary adenoma had lower angiogenesis and CD34/CD105 microvessel density (MVD) [14,15,16,17].

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Conclusion