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01-11-2008 | Original Article

Investigating differentiation mechanisms of the constituent cells of sex cord-stromal tumours of the ovary

Authors: Panagiotis Papanastasopoulos, Maria Repanti, Vasileia Damaskou, Vasiliki Bravou, Helen Papadaki

Published in: Virchows Archiv | Issue 5/2008

Abstract

SOX-9, an essential factor for male sexual development, can be induced by prostaglandin D2 in a Sry-independent mechanism. Recent data suggest that the hedgehog pathway is involved in the differentiation of normal Sertoli and Leydig cells. The purpose of our study was to investigate the mechanisms involved in the differentiation of ovarian sex cord-stromal tumour (SCST) cells. Two Sertoli–Leydig cell tumours and two granulosa cell tumours with a minor Sertoli element were studied using immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Sertoli cells expressed anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), SOX-9, prostaglandin D synthase (Pgds) and bcl-2 (in four of four cases); sonic hedgehog (Shh) and p53 (in three of four cases) and androgen receptors (AR; in one of four cases). Ki-67 index ranged from 10% to 50%. Leydig cells expressed Shh and AR (two of two cases), while they showed no expression of p53, bcl-2 and 0% Ki-67 index. Granulosa cells expressed AMH, Pgds, Shh, estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, AR and bcl-2 (in two of two cases) and p53 (in one of two cases). Ki-67 index was 10% and 40%, respectively. Further investigation is required to clarify the role of the molecules outlined above in the histogenesis of ovarian SCST, as Pgds-mediated SOX-9 upregulation could provide a reasonable explanation for the presence of testicular differentiation in ovarian SCST.

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Title: Investigating differentiation mechanisms of the constituent cells of sex cord-stromal tumours of the ovary
Authors: Panagiotis Papanastasopoulos
Maria Repanti
Vasileia Damaskou
Vasiliki Bravou
Helen Papadaki
Publication date: 01-11-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Virchows Archiv / Issue 5/2008
Print ISSN: 0945-6317
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2307
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-008-0677-7

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Investigating differentiation mechanisms of the constituent cells of sex cord-stromal tumours of the ovary

Abstract

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