Immunohistochemical Examinations of Sex Hormone Receptors in Benign Vocal Fold Lesions

Abstract

Background: Acquired benign vocal fold lesions are among the most common causes of voice problems. Since the local impact of estrogen and progesterone receptors in laryngeal tissue is discussed controversially, the presence of sex hormone receptors in benign vocal fold alterations needs to be clarified. Goal of the Study: To investigate the expression of estrogen-α receptors (ER-α), estrogen-β receptors (ER-β), progesterone receptors (PR) and androgen receptors (AR) in acquired benign vocal fold alterations. Methods: Laryngeal epithelial specimens of 14 patients (13 female, 1 male) taken intraoperatively were investigated using immunohistochemistry in order to objectify ER-α, ER-β, PR and AR. Macroscopically and histopathologically diagnosed edemas of Reinke’s space (n = 10), vocal fold polyps (n = 3) and vocal fold nodules (n = 1) were enrolled in this study. Results: No specific nuclear immunohistochemical staining could be seen in the biopsies taken. Only unspecific staining patterns could be observed. Conclusion: Sex hormone receptors could not be detected in the specimens tested, thus, any direct influence of sex hormones on the development of benign vocal fold lesions is rather unlikely. The results of this study confirm the impact of vocal fold stress and biomechanical abnormalities on their development due to voice overstraining and abuse.

G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor 1 expression in human vocal fold

“…The sample sourcing involved in recent studies concerning the expression of sex hormone receptors (SHRs) in the human vocal fold included autopsies9, 10 as well as pathologic vocal tissues 8, 13. Both sample sourcing methods have been shown to have controversial results in terms of whether SHRs exist in the vocal fold.…”

“…The sample sourcing involved in recent studies concerning the expression of sex hormone receptors (SHRs) in the human vocal fold included autopsies 9,10 as well as pathologic vocal tissues. 8,13 Both sample sourcing methods have been shown to have controversial results in terms of whether SHRs exist in the vocal fold. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time, in sections of pathologic vocal tissues, the expression of GPR30 at both the mRNA and the protein level.…”

“…The theory that the larynx is an estrogen target is a topic of current research 4. However, a key problem that has yet to be resolved is the settling of conflicting reports concerning the expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) in the human larynx 8–13. Recently a trans‐membrane protein called G protein–coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER, GPR30), has been identified to present both on cytomembrane and intracellularly in target cells,14 bind specially to estrogen, and mediate rapid estrogen effects 15.…”

“…4 However, a key problem that has yet to be resolved is the settling of conflicting reports concerning the expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) in the human larynx. [8][9][10][11][12][13] Recently a trans-membrane protein called G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER, GPR30), has been identified to present both on cytomembrane and intracellularly in target cells, 14 bind specially to estrogen, and mediate rapid estrogen effects. 15 A number of studies have investigated GPER in human tissues (i.e., in the heart, 14 in endometrium and early pregnancy decidua, 16 and in the bone 17 ).…”

Untersuchungen zu Veränderungen der extrazellulären Matrix beim Reinke-Ödem

“…Andere Co-Faktoren wie Allergien, Infektionskrankheiten (Raabe und Pascher 1999, Cohen et al 2009) und hormonelle Veränderungen werden diskutiert, konnten aber nicht bewiesen werden (Voelter et al 2008).…”