Promoter methylation and downregulated expression of the TBX15 gene in ovarian carcinoma

Gozzi,Gaia; Chelbi,Sonia T.; Manni,Paola; Alberti,Loredana; Fonda,Sergio; Saponaro,Sara; Fabbiani,Luca; Rivasi,Francesco; Benhattar,Jean; Losi,Lorena

doi:10.3892/ol.2016.5019

Promoter methylation and downregulated expression of the TBX15 gene in ovarian carcinoma

Authors:
- Gaia Gozzi
- Sonia T. Chelbi
- Paola Manni
- Loredana Alberti
- Sergio Fonda
- Sara Saponaro
- Luca Fabbiani
- Francesco Rivasi
- Jean Benhattar
- Lorena Losi
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Affiliations: Pathological Anatomy Unit, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, I‑41124 Modena, Italy, University Institute of Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland, Department of Diagnostic Medicine, Clinic and Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, I‑41124 Modena, Italy
Published online on: August 16, 2016 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2016.5019
Pages: 2811-2819

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Abstract

TBX15 is a gene involved in the development of mesodermal derivatives. As the ovaries and the female reproductive system are of mesodermal origin, the aim of the present study was to determine the methylation status of the TBX15 gene promoter and the expression levels of TBX15 in ovarian carcinoma, which is the most lethal and aggressive type of gynecological tumor, in order to determine the role of TBX15 in the pathogenesis of ovarian carcinoma. This alteration could be used to predict tumor development, progression, recurrence and therapeutic effects. The study was conducted on 80 epithelial ovarian carcinoma and 17 control cases (normal ovarian and tubal tissues). TBX15 promoter methylation was first determined by pyrosequencing following bisulfite modification, then by cloning and sequencing, in order to obtain information about the epigenetic haplotype. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between the methylation and protein expression levels. Data revealed a statistically significant increase of the TBX15 promoter region methylation in 82% of the tumor samples and in various histological subtypes. Immunohistochemistry showed an inverse correlation between methylation levels and the expression of the TBX15 protein. Furthermore, numerous tumor samples displayed varying degrees of intratumor heterogeneity. Thus, the present study determined that ovarian carcinoma typically expresses low levels of TBX15 protein, predominantly due to an epigenetic mechanism. This may have a role in the pathogenesis of ovarian carcinoma independent of the histological subtype.

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