The role of growth factors and pseudocapsule in the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Currently, many issues of the pathogenesis of uterine fibroids remain poorly studied, in particular, those related to the role of growth factors in the formation of these neoplasms. In addition, the issue of the role played by the pseudocapsule of the node in tumor growth has not been resolved.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of growth factor genes TGFB1, TGFB 3, TGFBR2, FGF2, FGFR2, IGF1, and IGF1R in myomatous nodes, pseudocapsule and myometrium in patients with uterine fibroids.

METHODS: The study analyzed a collection of tissues (myometrium, node fragments, pseudocapsule) obtained from patients with uterine fibroids who were examined and treated at the Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott (Saint Petersburg, Russia). The samples were used to determine relative expressions of the TGFB1, TGFB3, TGFBR2, FGF2, FGFR2, IGF1, and IGF1R genes using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: In general, myomatous nodes are characterized by hyperexpression of a number of growth factors genes, such as TGFB1, TGFB3, and IGF1, but tumors are heterogeneous in this indicator. Increased expression of one or two genes encoding ligands of these signaling pathways was detected in 56% of myomatous nodes. In addition, we found hyperexpression of the TGFB1, TGFB3, and IGF1 genes in the pseudocapsule of some nodes.

CONCLUSION: Hyperexpression of certain growth factors may occur in both the nodes and fibroid pseudocapsules. Presumably, in some cases, the pseudocapsule is capable of independently producing growth factors that can stimulate the proliferation of fibroid node cells and the formation of an extracellular matrix therein. The data obtained indicate the ambiguity of the generally accepted recommendations on the need to preserve the pseudocapsule of the myomatous node during myomectomy, which undoubtedly requires further research.

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About the authors

Olga V. Malysheva

The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott

Email: omal99@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8626-5071
SPIN-code: 1740-2691

Cand. Sci. (Biology)

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Nikolai I. Polenov

The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott

Email: polenovdoc@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8575-7026
SPIN-code: 9387-1703
Scopus Author ID: 57221965664

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Maria I. Yarmolinskaya

The Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott

Author for correspondence.
Email: m.yarmolinskaya@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6551-4147
SPIN-code: 3686-3605

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

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Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
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1. JATS XML
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2. Appendix 1. RQ (relative quantity) values for the TGFB1, TGFB3, TGFBR2, FGF2, FGFR2, IGF1 and IGF1R genes in the studied samples
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3. Fig. 1. TGFB1 and TGFB3 expression levels in the myomatous node, pseudocapsule, and myometrium. *p < 0.05.

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4. Fig. 2. TGFBR2 expression level in the myomatous node, pseudocapsule, and myometrium. **p <0.01.

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5. Fig. 3. FGF2 and FGF2R expression levels in the myomatous node, pseudocapsule, and myometrium. *p <0.05.

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6. Fig. 4. IGF1 and IGF1R expression levels in the myomatous node, pseudocapsule, and myometrium. **p <0.01.

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7. Table 1-1

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8. Table 1-2

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12. Table 1-6

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СМИ зарегистрировано Федеральной службой по надзору в сфере связи, информационных технологий и массовых коммуникаций (Роскомнадзор).
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СМИ зарегистрировано Федеральной службой по надзору в сфере связи, информационных технологий и массовых коммуникаций (Роскомнадзор).
Регистрационный номер и дата принятия решения о регистрации СМИ: серия Эл № 77 - 6389 от 15.07.2002 г.