THE EXPRESSION OF CATHEPSIN-D, ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR AND PROGESTOGEN RECEPTOR IN HYDATIDIFORM MOLE - AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

The expression of oestrogen and progestogen receptors, as well as Cath epsin D, an oestrogen-induced protease, in trophoblastic cells of 12 c ases of complete hydatidiform mole, 12 cases of partial mole and nine cases of spontaneous abortions, were studied in an attempt to elucidat e their possible roles in the pathogenesis of the diseases. The immuno histochemical studies were performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedd ed tissue using the ABC immunoperoxidase method. The intensity of stai ning and proportion of cells stained were assessed and compared in the three categories of lesions. Immunoreactivity for Cathepsin D was not ed in both the syncytio- and cytotrophoblastic cells in all three lesi ons. Statistical analysis showed consistently stronger and more extens ive staining for Cathepsin D in complete moles when compared with abor tions. Staining for oestrogen and progestogen receptors was found to b e weak in the tissues studied. The strong expression of Cathepsin D in trophoblastic cells of all three lesions, especially in complete mole , suggests that it might be important in the control of trophoblastic cell activities and involved in the pathogenesis of hydatidiform mole. The associated weak expression of sex hormone receptors also suggests that the expression of Cathepsin D in trophoblastic cells may be cont rolled by modes of regulation other than sex hormones.