Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Promotes the Development of Endometrial Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract

Endocrine disruptors as risk factors for endometrial cancer (EC) are positively correlated with serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. Additionally, increased FSH is associated with EC. However, its exact mechanism is not yet clear. Therefore, this study investigated how FSH affects the occurrence of EC. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and Western blot (WB), we found that FSH receptor (FSHR) was expressed in both EC tissues and cell lines. To explore the effect of FSH on EC in vitro, Ishikawa (ISK) cells were cultured in different doses of FSH, and it was found that FSH could promote the proliferation and migration of ISK cells. Furthermore, the detection of key molecules of migration and apoptosis by WB showed that FSH promoted cell migration and inhibited apoptosis. Additionally, FSH decreased AMPK activation. To clarify the effect of FSH on EC in vivo, we subcutaneously planted ISK cells into ovariectomized mice and then gave two of the groups oestradiol (E2). In comparison with the OE (ovariectomy plus E2) and sham groups, the growth rates and weights of the tumors in the OE plus FSH group were significantly higher. The findings above suggest that FSH promotes the proliferation and metastasis of EC, providing a new strategy for the treatment of EC.

Effects of follicle-stimulating hormone on the proliferation and apoptosis of infantile hemangioma stem cells

“…To study whether follicle-stimulating hormone can affect the cell proliferation ability of hemangioma stem cells, we treated the cells with different concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (0, 100 IU/L and 1000 IU/L). The dosages of 100 and 1000 IU/L for FSH may have been commonly used and well-established in prior researches [ [20] , [21] , [22] ]. The cell proliferation abilities were enhanced by FSH in a dose-dependent manner by CCK8 assay ( Fig.…”

“…Accumulating evidence indicates that FSH plays an important role in tumors. FSH and its receptor have been shown to be involved in various cancers [ 15 , 21 , [23] , [24] , [25] ]. FSH has multiple biological functions, including promoting cell proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis [ 15 , [26] , [27] , [28] ].…”

An Array SPRi Biosensor for the Determination of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Blood Plasma

“…The extragonadal action of FSH has been described in studies. FSH can play an important role in metabolic diseases [ 6 , 7 ], lipogenesis, insulin sensitivity [ 8 ], inflammation [ 9 ] and cancer [ 10 , 11 ].…”