Christopher Kobierzycki

The usefulness of periostin determination in gynecology and obstetrics

Periostin (POSTN) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that belongs to the group of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Due to the molecular structure, cellular interactions, tissue locations as well functions of POSTN, we realize that its pivotal role is organization and regulation of ECM microenvironment. In available databases there is a lack of data summarizing current knowledge about POSTN expression in the field of gynecology and obstetrics. We conducted a search in PubMed of the National Library of Medicine and Google Scholar. Databases were extensively searched for all original and review articles/book chapters published in English until December 2019 and related to periostin expression. All relevant articles were reviewed and presented as appropriate. In the field of POSTN expression there is only one paper evaluating its involvement in cervical cancer cell metabolism and only two studies analyzing its myometrial commitment: maintenance during pregnancy and induction of parturition in physiology as well control of fibroids biology in pathology. Much more attention has been devoted to the expression of described protein in the endometriosis, and above all in ovarian cancer. Finally, a few studies carried out among pregnant women were presented. In this review study we presented current knowledge about periostin expression in the field of gynecology and obstetrics. Many achieved results are interesting and further studies are needed to verify some hypotheses. Structure, signaling pathways as well many functions of periostin are well-described. However, as it was clearly shown there is a lot of unknown issues which are waiting to be explored.

The Immunohistochemical Expression of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Markers in Precancerous Lesions and Cervical Cancer

In the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, cells lose their epithelial phenotype and gain mesenchymal features. This phenomenon was observed in the metastatic phase of neoplastic diseases, e.g., cervical cancer. There are specific markers that are expressed in the EMT. The aim of this study was to determine the localization of and associations between the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of TWIST, SNAIL, and SLUG proteins in precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. The IHC analysis disclosed higher expressions of EMT markers in precancerous lesions and cervical cancer than in the control group. Moreover, stronger expression of TWIST, SNAIL, and SLUG was observed in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) vs. CIN1, CIN3 vs. CIN2, and CIN2 vs. CIN1 cases (p < 0.05). In cervical cancer, IHC reactions demonstrated differences in TWIST, SNAIL, and SLUG expression in grade 1 (G1) vs. grade 2 (G2) (p < 0.0011; p < 0.0017; p < 0.0001, respectively) and in G1 vs. grade 3 (G3) (p < 0.0029; p < 0.0005; p < 0.0001, respectively). The results of our study clearly showed that existing differences in the expression of the tested markers in precancerous vs. cancerous lesions may be utilized in the diagnosis of cervical cancer. Further studies on bigger populations, as well as in comparison with well-known markers, may improve our outcomes.