Increased expression of endothelin‐1 converting enzyme in human thyroid carcinoma

Interrelated overexpression of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases, endothelin‐1 and angiogenic factors in human papillary thyroid carcinoma

“…There is a now evidence that ET‐1 may play a role in tumorigenesis by modulating mitogenesis, apoptosis, angiogenesis and development of metastases 6 . Our previous studies demonstrated an overexpression of the ET‐1 axis in PTC 3–5 . In the present study, we show that ET‐1 expression is coordinated with that of NOS.…”

“…Surgical human thyroid samples were obtained from 22 patients (20 women and two men) in whom the ET‐1 axis had been studied previously 3–5 . The patients’ ages ranged from 15 to 68 years (mean 42·9 ± 3·1 years).…”

“…Papillary and medullary thyroid carcinomas are cancers in which we recently demonstrated overexpression of the ET-1 axis, including the ET-1 precursor, its mitogenic receptor ET A and ET-1 converting enzyme. [3][4][5] ET-1 could play a deleterious role in these cancers by promoting tumour cell survival and proliferation as well as angiogenesis and bone metastases. 6 NO is a free radical molecule with various functions, including vasodilation and also neurotransmission and immune regulation.…”

Role of the endothelin axis in the proliferation of human thyroid cancer cells

“…In our previous studies performed in human thyroid samples obtained at the time of surgery, we demonstrated an overexpression of ET‐1, ECE, and ET A R in papillary and medullary thyroid carcinomas by immunochemistry and real‐time quantitative PCR 13–15 . The results of the present study indicate for the first time that the same elements (i.e.…”

“…In papillary and medullary thyroid carcinoma, we previously demonstrated an overexpression of the ET‐1 axis including the ET‐1 precursor, ET A R, and ET‐1 converting enzyme (ECE) 13–15 . The expression of the other ET‐1 receptor, ET B , was, however, unaltered.…”