Expression and role of hScrib in endometrium, endometriosis, and endometrial adenocarcinoma

Abstract

To explore the role of hScrib in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.This was a retrospective study of 240 women in our hospital between January 2014 and January 2017. The expression of hScrib in endometrium (EM), endometriosis (EMs), and endometrial adenocarcinoma (EC) was investigated, and compared the differences among them. Serum levels, protein expressions, localizations, and correlations of hScrib and E-cadherin were determined.The levels of serum soluble hScrib and E-cadherin were significantly highest in EC, followed by EMs, and healthy women (P < .05). hScrib protein content was opposite result in 3 tissues (P < .05), and was negatively correlated with r-AFS stage in EMs. The location changed from membrane to cytoplasm. Co-localization of hScrib with E-cadherin was found at extensive cell-cell boundaries in EMs.hScrib and E-cadherin may be as new diagnostic markers of endometriosis. Low expression of hScrib leads to the loss of cell polarity and stability. Also, hScrib may induce EMT through regulating E-cadherin, might play an important role in pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Figure 1

The serum concentration of soluble hScrib among women donors ranged from 0.423 to 1.778 mg/L, with a mean value of 1.169 ± 0.356 mg/L.

Figure 2

The serum expressions of soluble E-cadherin in women donors ranged from 3.586 to 6.178 mg/L, with a mean value of 4.295 ± 0.531 mg/L, and in endometriosis was 6.429–9.316 mg/L, with an average of 7.534 ± 0.529 mg/L.

Figure 3

The positive cells stained for hScrib were present at the cell–cell boundaries and at broad basolateral membrane of the glandular epithelium of the endometrium, and were strongly positive.

Figure 4

Both in endometriosis of advanced stages (III and IV) and endometrial adenocarcinoma of early stages (I and II), the immune-reactive hScrib localization was changed from membrane to cytoplasm.

Figure 5

Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy was provided further evidence for the co-localization of hScrib with E-cadherin. hScrib was labeled with green fluorescent dye and E-cadherin was labeled with red fluorescent dye.