Expression And Significance Of Folate Receptor α In Pituitary

Objective To investigate the expression level of folate receptor α(FRα) inpituitary adenomas and its clinical significance in different endocrine types, in orderto make a solid theoretical basis for further targeted diagnosis and treatment ofpituitary adenomas.Methods Fifty seven tumour tissue specimens from patients with pituitaryadenomas were obtained from the Nanjing Medical University affiliated with WuxiNo.2Hospital partly, during2009to2012. These tissues were divided into fourgroups: nonfunctional(NF) group, adrenocorticorticotropic hormone(ACTH) group,growth hormone(GH) group and prolactin(PRL) group. We used real-time fluorescentquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) to determinethe expression level of FRα mRNA. The FRα protein levels were quantified by usingWestern blot analysis and Immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was used toevaluate any significant differences of FRα protein and mRNA between the individualgroups.Results The FRα mRNA level was markedly elevated in the NF pituitaryadenomas compared to the other kinds of pituitary tumours (P<0.05). Overexpressionof FRα protein was found in nonfunctional pituitary adenomas but not in functionaladenomas (P<0.05). By immunohistochemistry, we also found FRα was expressedonly in NF pituitary adenomas but not in ACTH, GH or PRL pituitary adenomas.Conclusion FRα is overexpressed in clinically nonfunctional pituitary adenomasthan in functional pituitary adenomas. Potentially, this finding could be exploited todevelop innovative molecular targeted diagnosis and treatment for humannonfunctional pituitary adenomas.