Overexpression of erythropoietin-producing hepatocyte receptor B4 and ephrin-B2 is associated with estrogen receptor expression in endometrial adenocarcinoma
- Authors:
- Published online on: February 8, 2017 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.5698
- Pages: 2109-2114
-
Copyright: © Dong et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
Metrics: Total
Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Abstract
Endometrial adenocarcinoma (EC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed types of endometrial cancer and is typically a consequence of continuous estrogen receptor stimulation. Erythropoietin‑producing hepatocyte receptor B4 (EphB4) and its ligand ephrin-B2 have been reported to be overexpressed in EC cells; however, the function in EC remains unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of EphB4 and ephrin‑B2 in EC. The protein expression pattern of EphB4 and ephrin‑B2 was analyzed through immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis in endometrium with adenomyosis or simple endometrial hyperplasia, atypical endometrial hyperplasia, double‑positive estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) EC and double-negative ER/PR EC. The expression of EphB4 and ephrin‑B2 was demonstrated to be increased in atypical EH and ER/PR‑positive EC, but not ER/PR-negative EC. Furthermore, EphB4 and ephrin‑B2 expression was positively associated with ER expression in EC tissue. The results of the present study suggest that the overexpression of EphB4 and ephrin‑B2 in the endometrium serves a role in the pathogenesis of EC, in addition to being associated with ER expression.
