Evaluation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha (ERα), Neuropilin-1 (NRP1), and E-Cadherin Expression in Normal, Hyperplastic, and Neoplastic Endometrium
International Journal of Women's Health and Reproduction Sciences, cilt.14, sa.4, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 14 Sayı: 4
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.15296/ijwhr.3008
- Dergi Adı: International Journal of Women's Health and Reproduction Sciences
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: E-cadherin, Endometrial hyperplasia, Endometrial neoplasms, Estrogen receptor alpha, Neuropilin-1
- Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objectives: To evaluate the expression patterns of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), neuropilin-1 (NRP1), and E-cadherin in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic endometrial tissues and to investigate their potential roles in endometrial carcinogenesis. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational immunohistochemical study was conducted at a tertiary care center between February 2021 and August 2022. Ninety-seven paraffin-embedded endometrial tissue specimens, including proliferative endometrium (n=23), endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (n=16), endometrial hyperplasia with atypia (n=13), Grade 1 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (n=20), Grade 2 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (n=14), and Grade 3 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (n=11), were evaluated immunohistochemically for ERα, NRP1, and E-cadherin expression. Results: ERα expression was significantly higher in endometrial hyperplasia without atypia compared with Grade 2/3 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (P < 0.05). NRP1 expression was lower in atypical hyperplasia than in proliferative endometrium (P < 0.05), whereas significantly stronger NRP1 staining was observed in Grade 1 and Grade 2/3 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma compared with proliferative endometrium and hyperplastic lesions (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). E-cadherin expression was significantly decreased in Grade 2/3 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma compared with proliferative endometrium, atypical hyperplasia, and Grade 1 carcinoma (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusions: Increased NRP1 expression together with reduced ERα and E-cadherin expression in higher-grade endometrial carcinomas suggests that these markers may be associated with endometrial carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms.