Changes in β2-adrenoceptor expression and in adenylyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase activity in human uterine leiomyomas

• Uterine leiomyoma is a very common benign tumour with unclear pathophysiology in adult women. In the present study we have investigated the expression level of α2- and β2-adrenoceptors, and the adenylyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase activity in leiomyoma tissue compared with adjacent myometrium. Our results show that the α2/β2-adrenoceptor ratio is increased in leiomyoma, due to a significant decrease in β2-adrenoceptor expression. These changes were not due to an increased innervation, as the tumour tissue was completely devoid of nerve fibres. Moreover, the adenylyl cyclase activity of leiomyoma membranes was found to be ~50% lower, whereas the phosphodiesterase activity was significantly increased (by ~100%). We found that stimulating an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP, by adenylyl cyclase activity through β2-adrenoceptors (isoprenaline), by direct enzyme activation (forskolin), or by inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity (papaverine), potently blocked both protein and DNA synthesis in cultured leiomyoma smooth muscle cells. Our results imply the adrenoceptors might be involved in, or a consequence of, leiomyoma growth. The results also suggest a new interesting approach for leiomyoma pharmacotherapy.

Keyword

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)