Open AccessDetection of aromatase and estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ1, ERβ2) in human Leydig cell tumor
Author(s) -
Amalia Carpino,
Vittoria Rago,
Vincenzo Pezzi,
Cesare Carani,
Sebastiano Andò
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
european journal of endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.897
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1479-683X
pISSN - 0804-4643
DOI - 10.1530/eje-07-0029
Subject(s) - aromatase , endocrinology , medicine , leydig cell , estrogen receptor , receptor , estrogen , estrogen receptor beta , chemistry , hormone , luteinizing hormone , cancer , breast cancer
A Leydig cell tumor is a rare neoplasm, deriving from the interstitial cells, whose pathogenesis has not been still defined. Leydig cells of normal adult testis are known as physiological targets for estrogens. However, some studies on transgenic rodents suggest a role of estrogens in the development of Leydig cell hyperplasia and Leydig cell tumor. Therefore, with the aim to evaluate a possible link between estrogens and testicular tumorigenesis, this study investigated the expression of aromatase and estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ 1 , ERβ 2 ) in testes from two patients with Leydig cell tumor. A strong immunoreactivity for aromatase, ERβ 1 , and ERβ 2 , together with a detectable ERα immunostaining, was revealed in tumoral tissues. These findings were confirmed by western blot analysis of tumor extracts detecting a 55 kDa P450arom, a 67 kDa ERα band, a 59 kDa ERβ 1 band, and a 53 kDa ERβ 2 band. The pattern of ER expression in neoplastic cells appears different from that of control Leydig cells exhibiting only ERβ 1 and ERβ 2 isoforms. The authors hypothesize how the high estrogen production could play a role in the neoplastic transformation of Leydig cells, while the exclusive presence of ERα in tumoral cells could amplify estradiol-17β signaling contributing to the tumor cell growth and progression.