Role of endocrine and growth factors on the ovarian surface epithelium

Abstract

Epithelial ovarian cancer is a highly fatal disease for which prevention strategies have been limited; in part because of our poor understanding of the underlying biology of its precursor, the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The OSE is a single layer of flat-to-cuboidal mesothelial cells that covers the surface of the ovary. Despite its inconspicuous appearance in vivo, it is believed that OSE cells actively participate in the cyclical ovulatory rupture and repair process. The continuous rupture of the OSE at ovulation and the subsequent proliferation to repair the wound renders the cells susceptible to genetic damage and malignant transformation. As the ovary is a rich source of multiple hormones, and normal OSE and ovarian carcinomas secrete and have receptors for hormones, growth factors and cytokines, these factors are strong candidates to regulate normal OSE physiology and the transformation and progression of ovarian cancers. In particular, alterations of hormone/growth factor production and receptor expression are common in ovarian tumors. This review summarizes the current knowledge in the field of endocrinology and its relationship to the biology and pathology of the OSE.

The involvement of the Toll-like receptor family in ovulation

“…Importantly, IL6 itself induces expression of many genes in cumulus cells and can stimulate COC expansion (our unpublished observations; [30]). IL6 and other cytokines may also impact ovarian surface epithelia cells at the time of ovulation to stimulate their proliferation and repair of the rupture site [31]. Once the COCs are in the oviduct, cytokines released from the cumulus cells may impact the function of oviductal cells.…”

The possible pathology and pharmaceutical therapy of ovarian cancer

“…(4,12). There are many members of TGF-β protein family including TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, activin, and inhibin (12).…”

“…There are many members of TGF-β protein family including TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, activin, and inhibin (12). TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3 and their receptors are all present in both human ovarian surface epithelium and ovarian surface stroma (13), and they have been identified as important modulators of neoplastic human ovarian epithelial cell function (4,12). TGF-β is well known for its roles of inhibiting proliferation of epithelial cells (12).…”

“…TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3 and their receptors are all present in both human ovarian surface epithelium and ovarian surface stroma (13), and they have been identified as important modulators of neoplastic human ovarian epithelial cell function (4,12). TGF-β is well known for its roles of inhibiting proliferation of epithelial cells (12). Biswas et al reported that attenuation of TGF-β signaling promotes tumor progression of a mesenchymal-like mammary tumor cell line in a syngeneic murine model (14).…”

Proliferative and angiogenic activity of endometriomas

“…Однако ПЭЯ человека со-стоит из мезотелиальных клеток. Принято считать, что эпителиальный рак яичников происходит из кле-ток, которые выстилают стенки кисты [24,33,39]. В 2009 г. S. Okamoto и соавт.…”