Differential expression of MUC2 and MUC5AC in benign and malignant glandular lesions of the cervix uteri

The expression of mucin genes in the normal glandular epithelium of the end ocervix has been well characterized. However, mucin gene expression in neop lastic or particular non-neoplastic glandular cervical :lesions has not bee n addressed. This immunohistochemical study was carried out to analyze the expression of MUC2 and MUC5AC in neoplastic and non-neoplastic glandular le sions of the cervix. Monoclonal antibodies were used on paraffin-embedded s ections from 41 adenocarcinomas, 2 adenosquamous carcinomas, 13 adenocarcin omas in situ (ACIS), 3 glandular dysplasias, 8 endometrioses, 5 tubal metap lasias, 17 squamous :metaplasias, 3 microglandular hyperplasias and normal tissue of the endocervix, endometrium and fallopian tube. The patterns of e xpression of MUC2 and MUC5AC were different and in principle contrary. Foca l MUC2 expression was observed almost exclusively in neoplastic lesions (36 %) and not in normal epithelia and non-neoplastic lesions, the one notable exception being immature metaplasia. In contrast, strong expression of MUC5 AC was observed in bath normal endocervical epithelium (100%) and neoplasti c lesions (73%). The expression of MUC5AC, however, was diminished in most neoplastic glandular lesions. Go-expression of MUC2 and MUC5AC was consiste ntly documented in the lesions with intestinal differentiation. In contrast , cases of tubal metaplasia and endometriosis were negative for MUC2 and MU C5AC. These results indicate that discrimination of mucin gene expression m ay be helpful in discriminating lesions of the cervix.