Expression of sonic hedgehog signaling molecules in normal, hyperplastic and carcinomatous endometrium.

The aim of the present study was to determine the expression profile of the hedgehog (Hh) signaling molecules in normal, hyperplastic, and carcinomatous uterine endometrium. For this purpose, 271 endometrial tissue samples, (62 of normal endometrium, 127 of endometrial hyperplasias, and 82 endometrial adenocarcinomas) were studied using antibodies recognizing Hh-related signaling proteins, such as, sonic hedgehog (Shh), Patched (PTCH), Smoothened (Smo), Suppressor of fused [Su(Fu)], Gli-1, Gli-2, and Gli-3 by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of these molecules was also assessed on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Enhanced CD24 expression in endometrial carcinoma and its expression pattern in normal and hyperplastic endometrium.

CD24 is known to be an important diagnostic and prognostic marker of several major cancers affecting females. We aimed to determine CD24 expression in normal, hyperplastic, and carcinomatous endometrium and its correlation with estrogen and progesterone receptor expression. A total of 271 cases including 62 normal/atrophic endometrium cases (47/15), 127 endometrial hyperplasia cases (51/52/24, simple/complex/atypical hyperplasia), and 82 endometrial carcinoma cases were immunohistochemically analyzed by using anti-CD24, ER, and PR antibodies that were embedded on paraffin blocks.