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Query: UMLS:C0476089 (endometrial cancer)
 11,379 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Adult stem cells are thought to be responsible for the high regenerative capacity of the human endometrium, and have been implicated in the pathology of endometriosis and endometrial carcinoma. The RNA-binding protein Musashi-1 is associated with maintenance and asymmetric cell division of neural and epithelial progenitor cells. We investigated expression and localization of Musashi-1 in endometrial, endometriotic and endometrial carcinoma tissue specimens of 46 patients. qPCR revealed significantly increased Musashi-1 mRNA expression in the endometrium compared to the myometrium. Musashi-1 protein expression presented as nuclear or cytoplasmic immunohistochemical staining of single cells in endometrial glands, and of single cells and cell groups in the endometrial stroma. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed colocalization of Musashi-1 with its molecular target Notch-1 and telomerase. In proliferative endometrium, the proportion of Musashi-1-positive cells in the basalis layer was significantly increased 1.5-fold in the stroma, and three-fold in endometrial glands compared to the functionalis. The number of Musashi-1 expressing cell groups was significantly increased (four-fold) in proliferative compared to secretory endometrium. Musashi-1 expressing stromal cell and cell group numbers were significantly increased (five-fold) in both endometriotic and endometrial carcinoma tissue compared to secretory endometrium. A weak to moderate, diffuse cytoplasmic glandular staining was observed in 50% of the endometriosis cases and in 75% of the endometrioid carcinomas compared to complete absence in normal endometrial samples. Our results emphasize the role of Musashi-1-expressing endometrial progenitor cells in proliferating endometrium, endometriosis and endometrioid uterine carcinoma, and support the concept of a stem cell origin of endometriosis and endometrial carcinoma.
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PMID:Increased expression of the adult stem cell marker Musashi-1 in endometriosis and endometrial carcinoma. 1847 32

The RNA-binding protein Musashi-1 has been proposed to maintain stem cell function during development and regenerative processes as a modulator of the Notch-1 signaling pathway. Musashi-1 expression is upregulated in endometrial carcinoma, however, its pathogenetic role in this tumor entity is unknown. Here we investigate the functional impact and mode of action of Musashi-1 on endometrial carcinoma cell behaviour in vitro. Aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 activity and side population (SP) measurement by Hoechst dye exclusion revealed that the Ishikawa endometrial carcinoma cell line contains a pool of putative cancer stem cells. Musashi-1 expression is 20.8-fold upregulated in SP+ compared to SP- and equally distributed between ALDH+ and ALDH- cell pools. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Musashi-1 mRNA expression lead to an altered expression of the signaling receptor Notch-1 and its downstream targets, the transcription factor Hes-1 and the cell cycle regulators p21(WAF1/CIP1) and cyclin B1, as determined by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Flow cytometric and ELISA analyses revealed that Musashi-1-mediated modulation of these factors exerted an antiproliferative effect on the cell cycle, and increased apoptosis in endometrial carcinoma cells. We conclude that Ishikawa cells contain a subpopulation of cells with stem cell-like properties. Musashi-1 modulates endometrial carcinoma cell cycle progression and apoptosis via the stemness-related factors Notch-1, Hes-1 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) , thus emerging as a novel future target for endometrial carcinoma therapy.
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PMID:The adult stem cell marker Musashi-1 modulates endometrial carcinoma cell cycle progression and apoptosis via Notch-1 and p21WAF1/CIP1. 2116 52

This study reviews the current knowledge about endometrial somatic stem cells and endometrial cancer stem cells. It describes the main features of somatic stem cells, such as high proliferative potential, self renewal, differentiation into 1 or more lineages, retention of a DNA synthesis label (BrdU), and some methods to identify them (Hoechst dye exclusion test, immunophenotyping). The most likely markers for endometrial somatic stem cells (Oct-4, Musashi-1, CD31, CD34, and CD144) are also mentioned. The study also reviews the literature regarding endometrial cancer stem cells. Results obtained by evaluations of the side population in endometrial cancer cell lines and studies on putative cancer stem cell markers are also discussed. The possible roles of endometrial cancer stem cells in metastasis and resistance to anticancer treatment are also mentioned.
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PMID:Stem cells in human endometrium and endometrial carcinoma. 2162 95