RESUMO
Nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (NTPDase1/CD39) is the dominant ecto-nucleotidase of vascular and placental trophoblastic tissues and appears to modulate the functional expression of type-2 purinergic (P2) G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Hence, this ectoenzyme could regulate nucleotide-mediated signalling events in placental tissue. This immunohistochemical and immuno-electron microscopic study demonstrates the expression of NTPDase1/CD39, P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors in different cell types of human placenta. Specifically P2Y1 has an exclusive vascular distribution whereas P2Y2 is localized on trophoblastic villi. Co-localization of P2Y1 and NTPDase1/CD39 are observed in caveolae, membrane microdomains of endothelial cells. The differential localization of these P2 receptors might indicate their unique roles in the regulation of extracellular nucleotide concentrations in human placental tissues and consequent effects on vascular tone and blood fluidity.
Assuntos
Adenosina Trifosfatases/metabolismo , Antígenos CD/metabolismo , Cavéolas/enzimologia , Placenta/enzimologia , Receptores Purinérgicos P2/metabolismo , Adenosina Trifosfatases/genética , Adenosina Trifosfatases/ultraestrutura , Antígenos CD/genética , Antígenos CD/ultraestrutura , Apirase , Cavéolas/ultraestrutura , Caveolina 1 , Caveolinas/genética , Caveolinas/metabolismo , Caveolinas/ultraestrutura , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura/métodos , Placenta/ultraestrutura , Receptores Purinérgicos P2/genética , Receptores Purinérgicos P2/ultraestrutura , Receptores Purinérgicos P2Y1 , Receptores Purinérgicos P2Y2RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of transvaginal ultrasonography in the assessment of myometrial invasion and cervical involvement (preoperative staging) of endometrial cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transvaginal ultrasonography was performed on 52 women to classify endometrial cancer with respect to myometrial invasion and cervical involvement according to the International Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians recommendations for surgical staging of endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer was diagnosed on the basis of dilatation and curettage and the degree of invasion was evaluated preoperatively by transvaginal ultrasonography. Ultrasonographic findings were compared to the surgical staging and histopathology of the surgical specimen. RESULTS: Myometrial invasion evaluated by transvaginal sonography was accurate in 46 of 52 cases (accuracy 88%, sensitivity 86%, specificity 90%, positive predictive value 92%, negative predictive value 83%). Tumor extension to the cervix was properly diagnosed in seven of ten women in which it was present. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal ultrasonography is a reliable method for assessing myometrial invasion and cervical involvement. This non-invasive method should be included as an important tool in the establishment of individualized treatment programs for women with endometrial cancer.
