Gene Expression Patterns of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 in Human Uterine Fibroid Tissues: A Genetic Study with Clinical Correlations

Abstract

Background/Aims: We investigated insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) gene activity in human uterine fibroid tissue. Results of the genetic testing were correlated with clinical data. Methods: We obtained samples from patients treated for uterine fibroid and from patients undergoing hysterectomy due to other indications (control group). The examined group (with fibroid) contained 101 cases, while the control group was similar with 110 patients. Gene expression values were determined using the standard PCR technique. Clinical data were available from the computer database of the department. Results: IGF-2 gene expression was significantly higher in the fibroid group. There was no correlation between increase in gene activity and the number of tumors. History of previous uterine fibroid did not seem to predict IGF-2 gene activity in the current fibroid tumor tissue. IGF-2 gene expression did not correlate with cumulative duration of lactation following prior pregnancies. Conclusion: IGF-2 gene activity is significantly increased in leiomyoma tissue compared to normal myometrium. Familial aggregation of uterine fibroids is not significantly associated with increased IGF-2 gene activity; other genes may have a stronger etiological role. It appears that the genetic factors potentially important in the development of familiar uterine leiomyoma are not related to the IGF-2 gene.

Follow-up to genome-wide linkage and admixture mapping studies implicates components of the extracellular matrix in susceptibility to and size of uterine fibroids

“…The linked INS (insulin) and IGF-2 (insulin-like growth factor 2) genes emerged as putative targets in the present study but only in the EA population, consistent with the published data (27, 28). …”

A Novel Molecular Cytogenetic Finding of Leiomyomatosis Peritonealis Disseminata

“…Among them, deletions on 15q11.2-q23, 17p-q21.31, and 22q12.2-q12.3 had been reported previously, and deletions on 1q42.13, 11q13.1, and 13q12.13 were newly identified [15]. A recent study showed that the expression of the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) gene, which is located on chromosome 11, was significantly higher in the ULM group [23]. Previous studies detected the same chromosomal alterations in extrauterine fibroids and ULM cells using aCGH [8].…”

Massive Cystic Degeneration of a Uterine Leiomyoma in a Patient with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

“…Although the exact etiology of leiomyoma and its cystic degeneration is unknown [6,7], diffuse cystic degeneration is extremely rare, and the largest simple cystic degenerative uterine leiomyoma reported measured 10 cm [8]. To our knowledge, this is the largest case of cystic degeneration of a uterine leiomyoma yet reported.…”