help button home button Endocrine Society JCEM
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS

This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Ito, K.
Right arrow Articles by Sasano, H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Ito, K.
Right arrow Articles by Sasano, H.
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 86, No. 6 2721-2727
Copyright © 2001 by The Endocrine Society


Other Original Studies

Retinoid Receptors in the Human Endometrium and Its Disorders: A Possible Modulator of 17ß-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase1

Kiyoshi Ito, Takashi Suzuki, Takuya Moriya, Hiroki Utsunomiya, Akira Sugawara, Ryo Konno, Shinji Sato and Hironobu Sasano

Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K.I., H.U., R.K., S.S.), Pathology (T.S., T.M., H.S.), and Medicine II (A.S.), Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8557, Japan

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Kiyoshi Ito, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8557, Japan. E-mail: kito{at}ob-gy.med.tohoku.ac.jp

Abstract

Retinoids have recently been proposed to modulate estrogenic actions in various sex steroid-dependent neoplasms, but little has been studied in human endometrial disorders. Therefore, in this study, we first examined the immunolocalization of retinoic acid receptor {alpha}, ß, and {gamma}, and retinoid X receptor (RXR) {alpha}, ß, and {gamma} in 20 normal cycling human endometria, 34 endometrial hyperplasia, and 46 endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinomas. We then correlated these findings with other clinicopathological parameters, especially in the correlation between retinoid receptor subtypes and the status of steroid hormone receptors, 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17ß-HSD) and aromatase. We also then examined the effects of retinoic acid on the expression of 17ß-HSD type 2 in cell lines derived from endometrial carcinoma using Northern blotting analysis to examine the possible roles of retinoids in in situ endometrial estrogen metabolism. Among these six retinoid receptors examined, RXR{gamma} immunoreactivity was exclusively detected in the epithelial cells of the secretory phase endometrium but not of the proliferative phase, which was well correlated with 17ß-HSD type 2 immunolocalization. However, in endometrial hyperplasia, RXR{gamma} was not correlated with 17ß-HSD type 2. In endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma, there was a statistically significant correlation between 17ß-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity and RXR{gamma} labeling index (LI) (P < 0.001) and between RXR{gamma} LI and progesterone receptor LI (r = 0.501, P = 0.003).

A significant inverse correlation was also detected between RXR{gamma} LI and patient age (r = 0.449, P = 0.015). No statistically significant correlation was obtained between LIs of receptors and other clinicopathological parameters including the status of intratumoral aromatase examined by immunohistochemistry. In the endometrial carcinoma cell line, RL95–2, retinoic acid markedly increased the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 messenger RNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner. These results all suggest that retinoic acids may be involved in modulation of in situ estrogen metabolism in both normal and neoplastic human endometrium possibly through RXR{gamma} by stimulating the expression of 17ß-HSD type 2.

ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA IS one of the most common female pelvic malignancies in the world, and its incidence has recently increased (1, 2). Previous clinical, biological, and epidemiological findings all suggest that prolonged or unopposed estrogenic stimulation increased the risk of endometrial carcinoma, especially of the endometrioid type (3, 4). However, there has been no consistent evidence of increased serum estrogen concentrations in women with endometrial disorders (5, 6, 7). Recently, in situ estrogen metabolism and synthesis have been considered to play a very important role in the development and progression of various human steroid hormone-dependent epithelial neoplasms, including endometrial carcinoma (8). It therefore becomes very important to study the expression and/or regulation of the enzymes involved in in situ estrogen metabolism in human endometrial malignancy to understand its local hormonal involvement. Among these enzymes, aromatase, which catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens, and 17ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17ß-HSD) isozymes, which catalyze the interconversion of E2 and estrone (E1), are two principal enzymes involved in the formation (9, 10, 11).

Retinoids, metabolites of vitamin A, have been recently demonstrated to play very important roles in in situ estrogen metabolism through the regulation of steroid hormone receptors and17ß-HSD. The possible therapeutic implications related to this property have been proposed in human breast cancer (12, 13, 14, 15, 16). Retinoids are known to exert their effects through their binding to specific receptors and subsequent modulation of specific gene expression in their target tissues. Roma et al. (13) reported that estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cell lines express significantly higher levels of retinoic acid receptors (RAR) {alpha} than ER-negative cell lines. They also reported a significant correlation between RAR{alpha} and ER{alpha} in human breast cancer tissues (13). Reed et al. (14) also reported that retinoic acid increases the expression of 17ß-HSD type 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and reductive activity in breast cancer cell lines. Suzuki et al. (15) reported a significant correlation between RAR{alpha} and 17ß-HSD type 1 expression in human breast carcinoma. These data all suggest that retinoids may modulate in situ estrogen metabolism through their receptors in estrogen receptor-positive human breast carcinomas, possibly through RAR{alpha}.

In the normal human endometrium, intracellular retinoic acid concentrations in both epithelial and stromal cells are elevated during the secretory phase (17). Kumarendran et al. (18) also reported the presence of the mRNA expression of RAR{alpha}, RARß, RAR{gamma}, and RXR (retinoid X receptor) {alpha} using Northern blotting in normal human endometrium. Siddiqui et al. (19) then reported the presence of RAR and RXR mRNA using Northern blotting in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. However, the details of the status of these retinoid receptors and the correlation between retinoid receptors and local estrogenic metabolism has not been studied in the human endometrium and its disorders.

Therefore, in this study we first examined the cellular localization of RARs and RXRs using immunohistochemistry. We then correlated these findings with clinicopathological parameters, including the status of steroid hormone receptors, 17ß-HSD type 2 and aromatase, in the human endometrium and its disorders to study the possible roles and regulatory mechanism of retinoids in in situ estrogen metabolism. Using endometrial cancer cell lines, we also examined the effects of retinoids on 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA expression for further analysis.

Materials and Methods

Patients and tissues

Twenty normal-cycling human endometria (41 ± 3.7 yr old), 33 endometrial hyperplasias (42 ± 9.2 yr old), and 46 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinomas (58 ± 9.8 yr old; grade 1: 23 cases; grade 2: 14 cases; grade 3: 9 cases) were retrieved from the surgical pathology files of Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan. None of these patients had received preoperative chemotherapy or pelvic radiation. The lesions were classified according to the Histological Typing of Female Genital Tract Tumors by the World Health Organization and staged according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics system (20, 21). All specimens were routinely processed (i.e., 10% formalin fixed for 24–48 h), paraffin embedded, and thin sectioned (3 µm).

Antibodies

Polyclonal antibodies for RAR{alpha} (sc-551), RARß (sc-552), RAR{gamma} (sc550) were purchased (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA). Polyclonal antibodies for RXR{alpha}, RXRß, and RXR{gamma} were raised against synthetic peptides containing the following mouse RXR amino acid residues: RXR{alpha} 92–109; RXRß 78–93; RXR{gamma} 35–54. The characterization of the RXR antibodies was confirmed by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation as described previously (22), and utilization of these antibodies for immunohistochemistry was also reported previously (23).

The monoclonal antibody of 17ß-HSD type 2, mAB-C2–12, was produced by immunizing mice with a synthetic carboxyl-terminal peptide corresponding to amino acids 375–387 of 17ß-HSD type 2 and was provided by Dr. S. Andersson, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX (24). Aromatase antibody was prepared against enzyme purified from human placenta and was provided by Dr. N. Harada, Fujita-Gakuen Health University, Toyoake, Japan (25).

The monoclonal antibody for progesterone receptor (PR) (Chemicon, Temecula, CA) and the monoclonal antibody for ER{alpha} (Immunotech, Marseille, France) were used.

Immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemical analysis was performed employing the streptavidin-biotin amplification method using a Histofine kit (Nichirei, Tokyo, Japan) and has been previously described in detail (26). Tissue sections of full-term placenta were used as positive controls for 17ß-HSD type 2. Human breast carcinoma was used as a positive control for retinoid and steroid receptors. As a negative control, normal rabbit or mouse IgG was used instead of the primary antibodies. In RXRs, immunohistochemical preabsorption tests were also performed. No specific immunoreactivity was detected in these tissue sections.

Semiquantitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining

In retinoid receptors, ERs, and PRs, more than 500 glandular or carcinoma cells were counted in each case by two of the authors (K.I. and T.S.) independently, after reviewing the slides and determining the areas of evaluation simultaneously, using a double-headed microscope. The percentage of immunoreactivity (i.e., labeling index [LI]) was subsequently determined. Cases with interobserver differences of more than 5%, which occurred in 3–7% of the cases examined were re-evaluated together using double-headed microscopy. Intraobserver differences were less than 5% when examining the same selected fields of representative cases. The mean value was obtained in cases with interobserver differences of less than 5%. For 17ß-HSD type 2 immunostaining, glandular or carcinoma cells were divided into the following three groups: 2+: more than 50% positive cells, +: 0–50% positive cells; -: no immunoreactivity, based on the report by Sasano et al. (23). For aromatase immunostaining, the findings were also classified as follows according to Watanabe et al. (9). The aromatase-positive stromal cells were divided into the following three groups: 1), 0–5%; 2), 5–25%; and 3) more than 25% of cells positive for aromatase. Evaluation of immunoreactivity of these steroidogenic enzymes was performed in the same manner as that of the nuclear antigen described above.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analyses among LIs of retinoid receptors, ERs, PRs, and KI-67, and patient age were performed by the correlation coefficient (r) and the regression equation. Association between LIs of retinoid receptors and 17ß-HSD immunoreactivity, stage, and histological grade were all evaluated using a Bonferroni test. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. We corrected the data with a Bonfferoni post hoc test, and multiple correlations were performed among clinicopathological parameters.

Cell culture

We examined five human endometrial cancer cell lines in this study: RL95–2, HEC-1A, HEC1-B, and KLE, obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (Manassas, VA), and the Ishikawa cell line provided by Dr. Sakurada (Department of Thoracic Surgery, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Sendai, Japan). The cells were cultured with Ham F12: DMEM (1:1, vol/vol) containing 10% FBS and passed at confluence to plastic culture dishes (100-mm diameter; Becton Dickinson and Co. Lincoln Park, NJ) for 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA analyses.

RNA extraction and Northern blot analysis

Total cellular RNA was extracted with lithium chlolide/urea from cells grown in monolayers according to the method of Chirgwin et al. (27). Total RNA (10 µg/lane) was size fractionated by electrophoresis on formaldehyde-agarose (1%) gels and transferred electrophoretically to a nylon membrane. A P-32–labeled 17ß-HSD type 2 complementary DNA was employed as a probe provided by Dr. S. Anderson (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX). An oligonucleotide probe of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH; 24-mer) was used as an internal standard. Specific radioactivity was assayed by AMBIS radioanalytic imaging system (AMBIS Inc., San Diego, CA). The mRNA level of 17ß-HSD type 2 was evaluated as the ratio of the radiointensity, compared with that of G3PDH and is expressed as percent change, compared with the control.

Total RNA (10 µg/lane) of nontreated RL95–2, HEC-1A, HEC-1B, KLE, and Ishikawa cells was evaluated by Northern analyses for 17ß-HSD type 2. Next, for checking the effects of RA derivatives and ligands for RA receptors on the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in RL95–2 cells, cells were treated with three RA derivatives (t-RA, 13-cis-RA, and 9-cis-RA) and two RA receptor selective RA agonists (TTNPB for RAR and LG69 for RXR, 1 µM for each) for 32 h.

For evaluating the dose response to t-RA and 13-cis-RA on the levels of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in RL95–2 cells, the cells were treated with t-RA (closed bars) or 13-cis-RA (open bar) in six different concentrations (0, 1 nM, 10 nM, 100 nM, 1 µM, and 10 µM) for 32 h. The levels of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA were evaluated as percent change, compared with the control (nontreatment for 32 h). Then for confirming time course of t-RA action on the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in RL95–2 cells, the cells were treated with (closed circles) or without (open circles) t-RA (1 µM) for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 h. The levels of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA were evaluated as percent change, compared with those of nontreated cells.

Results

Normal cycling endometrium

RAR{alpha},ß,{gamma} and RXR{alpha},ß,{gamma} immunoreactivities were all detected in the nuclei of some endometrial stromal cells throughout the phases of the menstrual cycle. RAR{alpha} and RXR{alpha},{gamma} immunoreactivities were detected in the nuclei of 60–70% of stromal cells, whereas RARß,{gamma} and RXRß immunoreactivities were present in the nuclei of 3–5% of stromal cells throughout the phases of the menstrual cycle. RAR{gamma} and RXRß immunoreactivity was not detected in any of the epithelial cells examined. RAR{alpha}, RARß, and RXR{alpha} immunoreactivity was detected in the nuclei of epithelial cells throughout all menstrual phases. RXR{gamma} immunoreactivity was detected in the nuclei of epithelial cells of the secretory phase endometrium but not of the proliferative phase (Fig. 1Go, A and B).



View larger version (104K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. Immunohistochemistry for RXR{gamma}. A, Proliferative phase. B, Secretory phase. RXR{gamma} immunoreactivity was detected in the nuclei of epithelial cells of the secretory phase endometrium but not of the proliferative phase. Original magnification, x200.

 
17ß-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity was detected only in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the secretory phase endometrium but not of the proliferative phase. Aromatase immunoreactivity was undetected in all of the cases examined. ER and PR immunoreactivities were detected in the nuclei of epithelial and stromal cells through all phases.

Endometrial hyperplasia

Results are summarized in Table 1Go. Immunoreactivity for retinoid receptors was detected in the nuclei of both epithelial and stromal cells. RAR{alpha},ß,{gamma} and RXR{alpha},ß,{gamma} immunoreactivity was detected in all the nuclei of some stromal cells in all the cases examined. RAR{alpha} and RXR{alpha},{gamma} immunoreactivities were detected in the nuclei of 30–50% of stromal cells, whereas RARß,{gamma} and RXRß immunoreactivities were present in the nuclei of 3–5% of stromal cells. RAR{alpha}, RARß, RXR{alpha}, and RXR{gamma} immunoreactivity was detected in all the nuclei of hyperplastic glands. 17ß-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity was detected in 24/33 cases (72.7%). 17ß-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity tended to be correlated with RXR{gamma} LI, but the correlation did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.2). No significant correlation was detected between retinoid receptor immunoreactivity and ER LI; PR LI; age; or histological classification including simple, complex, and atypical endometrial hyperplasia (data not shown). Aromatase immunoreactivity was undetected in all of the cases examined.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table 1. Summary of various receptor subtypes in endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma cases

 
Endometrial carcinoma

Results are summarized in Table 1Go. RAR and RXR immunoreactivity was not detected in stromal cells in all the cases examined. RAR{alpha}, RARß, RXR{alpha}, and RXR{gamma} immunoreactivity was detected in the nuclei of carcinoma cells (Fig. 2AGo). Marked aromatase immunoreactivity was detected in stromal cells in 50% of the cases of endometrial carcinoma, especially at the sites of frank invasion.



View larger version (109K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2. Immunohistochemistry for RXR{gamma} (A) and 17ß-HSD type 2 (B) in human endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma in serial tissue sections. The great majority of RXR{gamma} immunopositive cancer cells were also positive for 17ß-HSD type2. Original magnification, x200.

 
17ß-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity was detected in 37% (17/46) of the cases of endometrial carcinoma. In serial tissue sections, the great majority of RXR{gamma} immunopositive carcinoma cells were also positive for 17ß-HSD type 2 (Fig. 2Go, A and B). In addition, a statistically significant correlation was detected between 17ß-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity and RXR{gamma} LI (P < 0.001) (Fig. 3Go). A significant positive correlation was also detected between RXR{gamma} LI and PR LI (r = 0.501, P = 0.003) (Fig. 4Go). A significant inverse correlation was also detected between RXR{gamma} LI and patient age (r = 0.449, P = 0.015). No statistically significant correlation was obtained between LIs of any other retinoid receptor subtypes and other clinicopathological parameters, including the status of aromatase immunoreactivity, ER LI, clinical stage, and histological grade (data not shown).



View larger version (19K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3. Correlation between the immunoreactivity for 17ß-HSD type 2 and RXR{gamma} LI in human endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. There was a statistically significant correlation between 17ß-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity and RXR{gamma} LI (P < 0.001). Data are presented as means ± 95% confidence interval.

 


View larger version (16K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4. Correlation between RXR{gamma} LI and PR LI in human endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma. A significant correlation was detected between RXR{gamma} LI and PR LI (r = 0.501, P = 0.003).

 
There is no statistically significant correlation between LIs of retinoid receptor subtypes in epithelial cells and in stromal cells (data not shown).

Cell culture

17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA was detected in RL95–2 and HEC-1A cells but not in the other endometrial cancer cell line. The level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA, as detected by densitometry in Northern blots, in RL95–2 cells was approximately 100 times more than that of HEC-1A cell. We therefore evaluated the effects of RA on the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in RL95–2 cells. Results of the effects of various RA derivatives and ligands for RA receptors employed in this study on the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in RL95–2 cells are shown in Fig. 5AGo. The relative level of induction of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA, compared with controls, determined by densitometry was as follows: t-RA: 7.1, 13-cis-RA: 9.2, 9-cis-RA: 9.1, TTNPB: 7.9, LG69: 3.0 (Fig. 5BGo). Dose-response experiments on the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA by t-RA and 13-cis-RA in RL95–2 cells revealed that the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA was increased in a dose-dependent manner by t-RA and 13-cis-RA (Fig. 6AGo). Time course of t-RA on the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA is also summarized in Fig. 6BGo. T-R- induced 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in a time-dependent manner for up to 32 h. After 32 h of treatment, the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA was still 4.9-fold greater than that of nontreated cells.



View larger version (33K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 5. A, Northern blot analysis demonstrating the effects of RA derivatives and ligands for RA receptors on the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in RL95–2 cells. Cells were treated with three RA derivatives (t-RA, 13-cis-RA, and 9-cis-RA) and two RA receptor selective RA agonists (TTNPB for RAR and LG69 for RXR, 1 µM for each) for 32 h. B, The relative level of induction of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA, compared with controls, determined by densitometry was as follows: t-RA: 7.1, 13-cis-RA: 9.2, 9-cis-RA: 9.1, TTNPB: 7.9, LG69: 3.0.

 


View larger version (17K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 6. A, Dose response of t-RA and 13-cis-RA on the levels of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in RL95–2 cells. The cells were treated with t-RA (closed bars) or 13-cis-RA (open bar) at six different concentrations (0, 1 nM, 10 nM, 100 nM, 1 µM, and 10 µM for 32 h. The levels of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA were evaluated as percent change, compared with the control (nontreatment for 32 h). B, Time course of t-RA action on the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in RL95–2 cells. The cells were treated with (closed circles) or without (open circles) t-RA (1 µM) for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 h. The levels of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA were evaluated as percent change, compared with that of 0 h treated cells.

 
Discussion

In this study, we examined the localization of all six subtypes of retinoid receptors in human endometrium and its disorders. Among these receptor subtypes, RAR{alpha}, RARß, RXR{alpha}, and RXR{gamma} were widely distributed, compared with other retinoid receptor subtypes, in both neoplastic and nonneoplastic human endometrium. Especially, immunoreactivity for RAR{alpha}, RARß, and RXR{alpha} was widely distributed in both epithelial and stromal cells of endometrial tissues throughout the menstrual cycle. The fact that these receptors were present in the stromal cells of normal endometrium and hyperplasia but not in endometrial carcinoma suggests possible alterations of characteristics of stromal cells and/or fibroblasts because of stromal invasion. We then examined the possible correlation between patterns of retinoid receptor immunolocalization and in situ estrogen metabolism and actions. In normal endometrium, Casey et al. (28) and Zeitoun et al. (29) reported that 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA was markedly expressed in endometrial glandural epithelial cells during the secretory phase but not during the proliferative phase. Mustonen et al. (30) also reported the same results using mRNA in situ hybridization. On the other hand, 17ß-HSD type 1 mRNA was reported to be expressed at very low levels, compared with 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in normal endometrium (31). In our study, 17ß-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity was also detected only in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells in the secretory phase endometrium and not in the proliferative phase. Intracellular retinoic acid concentrations in both epithelial and stromal cells of endometrial mucosa are considered to be elevated during the secretory phase because of a marked reduction of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein type II mRNA (17). In normal endometrium, RXR{gamma} was detected only in the secretory phase among retinoid receptor subtypes examined. These results all indicated that increased retinoic acid concentrations are considered to exert their effects on secretory phase mucosa, possibly through RXR{gamma}.

We therefore further characterized the possible correlation between retinoids and their receptors and 17ß-HSD type 2 in endometrial disorders. Among retinoid receptor subtypes, the status of RXR{gamma} tended to be correlated with 17ß-HSD type 2 in endometrial hyperplasia, although not statistically significant. A significant positive correlation was, however, detected between RXR{gamma} LI and 17ß-HSD type 2 immunoreactivity (P < 0.001) in endometrial carcinoma. There were no correlations between the status of retinoid receptor subtypes and aromatase and/or estrogen receptor status in patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer. These findings suggest that among the factors that influence in situ estrogen metabolism and actions, the status of RXR{gamma} was correlated with that of 17ß-HSD type 2 at least in normal and neoplastic endometrium. These results also suggest that the possible effects of retinoids on in situ steroid metabolism in the human endometrium and its disorders may be mediated through modulation of 17ß-HSD type 2 expression and/or activity.

We then examined the effects of retinoids on the expression of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in cell lines derived from human endometrial carcinoma based on these findings above. In our present study, 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA was detected in RL95–2 and HEC-1A cell lines, but its level was much greater in RL95–2. Variability in the expression of 17ß-HSD type 2 by retinoic acid in endometrial carcinoma cells may reflect the characteristics and differentiation of endometrial epithelial cells from which the tumor arose. We therefore examined the various effects of retinoids on 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA expression using this cell line. Retinoic acid derivatives and selective RA receptor agonists increased the level of 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA in RL95–2 cells in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. However, the induction by LG69, a selective RXR agonist was approximately 0.38 times that of TTNPB, a RAR agonist, which is not necessarily consistent with the correlation between RXR{gamma} and 17ß-HSD type 2 in endometrial carcinoma cases. These findings suggest that retinoid actions through RXR{gamma} alone may not be sufficient to induce 17ß-HSD type2 mRNA. Retinoid actions through the RXR{gamma}-RAR{alpha} complex may be important for this induction, but further investigations are required to clarify these discrepancies.

No other correlations were detected between retinoid receptors and ER and aromatase. These results all suggest that retinoids influence in situ estrogen metabolism of both normal and neoplastic human endometrium on the expression of 17ß-HSD type 2. A significant correlation was also detected between RXR{gamma} and PR LI (P = 0.003) in endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinomas. In the human breast cancer cell line, T-47D, RA treatment induced a decrease in the cellular PR concentration by decreasing the amounts of its receptor mRNA and protein, suggesting that RA is capable of modulating sensitivity to progestins (32). Savouret et al. (33) demonstrated that transcriptional progesterone receptor gene expression was induced by estrogens and decreased by progestins and RA. In our study, a significant inverse correlation was also detected between RXR{gamma} LI and patient age (r = 0.449, P = 0.015); RXR{gamma} LI was markedly decreased in patients older than 50 yr old, which may also be due to the decrement of progesterone following menopause. Retinoids are considered to be effective as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents in a variety of human epithelial and hematopoietic neoplasms (12, 34, 35). Kudelka et al. (35) reported the favorable results obtained with RA-based treatment of patients with cisplatin-resistant metastatic endometrial adenocarcinoma. These clinical effects of retinoids may be partly due to increased 17ß-HSD type 2 mRNA expression in carcinoma cells, which results in the decreased in situ availability of biologically active estrogen, and the stimulation of PR expression. This may also reduce tumor cell proliferation through RXR{gamma}, but it awaits further investigation such as possible inhibition of other subtypes of 17ß-HSD including type 1 and type 3 and the correlation of the findings with percentage of body fat mass of individual patients for clarification.

Footnotes

1 This work is supported in part by the grant-in-aid for Cancer Research 7-1 from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Japan; a grant-in-aid for scientific area on priority area (A-11137301) from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture, Japan; a grant-in-aid for Scientific Research (B-11470047) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science; and a grant from the Naitou Foundation and Suzukenn Memorial Foundation. Back

Received June 20, 2000.

Revised September 12, 2000.

Accepted February 12, 2001.

References

  1. Parrazzini F, La Vecchia C, Bocciolone L, Francheschi S. 1991 The epidemiology of endometrial cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 41:1–16.[CrossRef][Medline]
  2. Parker SL, Tong T, Bolden S, Wingo PA. 1996 Cancer statistics. CA Cancer J Clin. 46:5–27.[Abstract]
  3. Thoma DB. 1984 Do hormones cause cancer? Cancer. 53:595–604.[CrossRef][Medline]
  4. Kelsey JL. 1982 A case control study of cancer of the endometrium. Am J Epidemiol. 116:333–342.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  5. Sasano H, Harada N. 1998 Intratumoral aromatase in human breast, endometrial, and ovarian malignancy. Endocr Soc. 19:593–607.
  6. Judd HL.1980. Serum androgens and estrogens in postmenopausal women with and without endometrial cancer. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 136:859–871.
  7. Nagasako S, Asanuma N, Nagata Y. 1988 Plasma concentration of estrogens and androgens in postmenopausal women with or without endometrial cancer. Acta Obstet Gynecol Jpn. 40:706–713.
  8. Lippman ME, Swain SA. 1992 Endocrine-responsive cancers of humans. In: Wilson JD, Foster DW, eds. Williams textbook of endocrinology. Philadelphia: Saunders; 1577–1597.
  9. Watanabe K, Sasano H, Harada N, et al. 1995 Aromatase in human endometrial carcinoma and hyperplasia immunohistochemical, in situ hybridization, and biochemical studies. Am J Pathol. 146:491–500.[Abstract]
  10. Peltoketo H, Isomma V, Maentausta O, Vihko R. 1998 Complete amino acid sequence of human placental 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deduced from cDNA. FEBS Lett. 239:73–77.
  11. Wu L, Einstein M, Geissler WM, Chan HK, Ellison KO, Andersson S. 1993 Expression cloning and characterization of human 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type2, a microsomal enzyme possessing 20{alpha}-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. J Biol Chem. 268:12964–12969.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  12. Evans TRJ, Kaye SB. 1999 Retinoids: present role and future potential. Br J Cancer. 80:1–8.[CrossRef][Medline]
  13. Roma SD, Clarke CL, Hall RE, Alexander IE, Sutherland RL. 1992 Expression and regulation of retinoic acid receptors in human breast cancer cells. Cancer Res. 52:2236–2242.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  14. Reed MJ, Rea D, Duncan LJ, Parker MG. 1994 Regulation of estradiol 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression and activity by retinoic acid in T47D breast cancer cells. Endocrinology. 135:4–9.[Abstract]
  15. Suzuki T, Moriya T, Sugawara A, Ariga N, Sasano S. 1999 Immunohistochemical expression of retinoid receptors in human breast cancers. Jpn J Cancer Res. 90 (Suppl):377 (Abstract).
  16. Chambon P. 1996 A decade of molecular biology of retinoic acid receptors. FASEB J. 10:940–954.[Abstract]
  17. Loughney AD, Kumarendran MK, Thomass EJ, Redfern CPF. 1995 Variation in the expression of cellular retinoid binding proteins in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. Hum Reprod. 10:1297–1304.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  18. Kumarendran MK, Loughney AD, Prentice A, Thomas EJ, Redfern CPF. 1996 Nuclear retinoid receptor expression in normal human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. Mol Hum Reprod. 2:123–129.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  19. Siddiqui NA, Loughney A, Thomas EJ, Dunlop W, Redfern CPF. 1994 Cellular retinoid binding proteins and nuclear retinoic acid receptors in endometrial epithelial cells. Hum Reprod. 9:1410–1416.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  20. Polsen HE. 1975 Histological typing of female genital tract tumors. In: International histological classification of tumors. Geneva: World Health Organization; 63–73.
  21. Greaseman WT. 1989 FIGO stages: 1988 revisions. Gynecol Oncol. 35:125–127.[CrossRef]
  22. Sugawara A, Yen PM, Qi Y, Lechan RM, Chin WW. 1995 Isoform-specific retinoid-X receptor (RXR) antibodies detect differential expression of RXR proteins in the pituitary gland. Endocrinology. 136:1766–1774.
  23. Sasano H, Frost AR, Saitoh R, et al. 1996 Aromatase and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type1 in human breast carcinoma. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 81:4042–4046.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  24. Moghrabi N, Head JR, Andersson S. 1997 Cell type-specific expression of 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in human placenta and fetal liver. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 82:3872–3878.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  25. Harada N. 1988 Novel properties of human placental aromatase as cytochrome P450: purification and characterization of a unique form of aromatase. J Biochem.103:106–112.
  26. Suzuki T, Sasano H, Kimura N, et al. 1994 Immunohistochemical distribution of progesterone, androgen and oestrogen receptors in the human ovary during the menstrual cycle: relationship to expression of steroidogenic enzymes. Hum Reprod. 9:1589–1595.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  27. Chirgwin JM, Przybyla AE, MacDonald RJ, Rutter WJ. 1979 Isolation of biologically active ribonucleic acid from sources enriched in ribonuclease. Biochemistry. 18:5294–5299.[CrossRef][Medline]
  28. Casey ML, MacDonald PC, Anderson S. 1994 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2: chromosomal assignment and progestin regulation of gene expression in human endometrium. J Clin Invest. 94:2135–2141.
  29. Zeitoun K. Takayama K, Sasano H, et al. 1998 Deficient 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 expression in endometriosis: failure to metabolize 17ß-estradiol. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 83:4474–4480.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  30. Mustonen MVJ, Isomaa VV, Vaskivuo T, et al. 1998 Human 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 messenger ribonucleic acid expression and localization in term placenta and in endometrium during the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 83:1319–1324.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  31. Husen B, Psonka N, Jacob-Meisel M, et al. 2000 Differential expression of 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases types 2 and 4 in human endometrial epithelial cell lines. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 24:135–144.
  32. Clarke CL, Roman SD, Graham J, Koga M, Sutherland RL. 1990 Progesterone receptor regulation by retinoic acid in the human breast cancer. J Biol Chem. 265:12694–12700.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  33. Savouret JF, Rauch M, Redeuilh G, et al. 1994 Interplay between estrogens, progestins, retinoic acid and AP-1 on a single regulatory site in the progesterone receptor gene. J Biol Chem. 269:28955–28962.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  34. Lipman SM, Kessler JF, Meyskens Jr FL. 1987 Retinoids as preventive and therapeutic anticancer agents (Part 1). Cancer Treat Res. 71:391–405.
  35. Kudelka AP, Freedman RS, Edwards CL, et al. 1993 Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the endometrium treated with 13-cis-retinoic acid plus interferon-alpha. Anticancer Drugs. 4:335–337.[Medline]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
Z. Shen, T. Saloniemi, A. Ronnblad, P. Jarvensivu, P. Pakarinen, and M. Poutanen
Sex Steroid-Dependent and -Independent Action of Hydroxysteroid (17{beta}) Dehydrogenase 2: Evidence from Transgenic Female Mice
Endocrinology, November 1, 2009; 150(11): 4941 - 4949.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol. Cell. Biol.Home page
M. Terao, M. Kurosaki, M. M. Barzago, M. Fratelli, R. Bagnati, A. Bastone, C. Giudice, E. Scanziani, A. Mancuso, C. Tiveron, et al.
Role of the Molybdoflavoenzyme Aldehyde Oxidase Homolog 2 in the Biosynthesis of Retinoic Acid: Generation and Characterization of a Knockout Mouse
Mol. Cell. Biol., January 15, 2009; 29(2): 357 - 377.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
Y.-H. Cheng, P. Yin, Q. Xue, B. Yilmaz, M. I. Dawson, and S. E. Bulun
Retinoic Acid (RA) Regulates 17{beta}-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 Expression in Endometrium: Interaction of RA Receptors with Specificity Protein (SP) 1/SP3 for Estradiol Metabolism
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2008; 93(5): 1915 - 1923.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol. Endocrinol.Home page
P. Rantakari, L. Strauss, R. Kiviranta, H. Lagerbohm, J. Paviala, I. Holopainen, S. Vainio, P. Pakarinen, and M. Poutanen
Placenta Defects and Embryonic Lethality Resulting from Disruption of Mouse Hydroxysteroid (17-{beta}) Dehydrogenase 2 Gene
Mol. Endocrinol., March 1, 2008; 22(3): 665 - 675.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
E. J Su, Y.-H. Cheng, R. T Chatterton, Z.-H. Lin, P. Yin, S. Reierstad, J. Innes, and S. E Bulun
Regulation of 17-Beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 in Human Placental Endothelial Cells
Biol Reprod, September 1, 2007; 77(3): 517 - 525.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
Y.-H. Cheng, A. Imir, T. Suzuki, V. Fenkci, B. Yilmaz, H. Sasano, and S. E. Bulun
SP1 and SP3 Mediate Progesterone-Dependent Induction of the 17beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 Gene in Human Endometrium
Biol Reprod, October 1, 2006; 75(4): 605 - 614.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Clin. Cancer Res.Home page
K. Ota, K. Ito, T. Suzuki, S. Saito, M. Tamura, S.-i. Hayashi, K. Okamura, H. Sasano, and N. Yaegashi
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor {gamma} and Growth Inhibition by Its Ligands in Uterine Endometrial Carcinoma.
Clin. Cancer Res., July 15, 2006; 12(14): 4200 - 4208.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Clin. Cancer Res.Home page
K. Ito, T. Suzuki, J.-i. Akahira, M. Sakuma, S. Saitou, S. Okamoto, H. Niikura, K. Okamura, N. Yaegashi, H. Sasano, et al.
14-3-3{sigma} in Endometrial Cancer-A Possible Prognostic Marker in Early-Stage Cancer
Clin. Cancer Res., October 15, 2005; 11(20): 7384 - 7391.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Reproductive SciencesHome page
A. Vienonen, S. Miettinen, M. Blauer, P. M. Martikainen, E. Tomas, P. K. Heinonen, and T. Ylikomi
Expression of Nuclear Receptors and Cofacotrs in Human Endometrium and Myometrium
Reproductive Sciences, February 1, 2004; 11(2): 104 - 112.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
X.-H. Li, H. Li, Z.-J. Xiao, and Y.-S. Piao
Divergent Effects of Retinoic Acids on the Expression of ER{alpha} and 17{beta}-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 in Endometrial Carcinoma Cells (RL 95-2)
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., February 1, 2002; 87(2): 640 - 649.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a related Letter to the Editor
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Copyright Permission
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Ito, K.
Right arrow Articles by Sasano, H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Ito, K.
Right arrow Articles by Sasano, H.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Endocrinology Endocrine Reviews J. Clin. End. & Metab.
Molecular Endocrinology Recent Prog. Horm. Res. All Endocrine Journals