Expression of inhibin/activin subunits (alpha, betaA and betaB) in normal and carcinomatous cervical tissue

Introduction: Inhibins are dimeric glycoproteins composed of an alpha-subunit and one of two potential beta-subunits, (betaA or betaB), showing substantial functions in human reproduction and in endocrine-responsive tumours. In this study the expression of these different subunits was examined in normal and pathological cervical tissue. Materials and Methods: Normal cervical tissue (n=10) and cervical adenocarcinomas (n=6) in archival specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry. Results: Immunoreactivity of inhibin-alpha could be demonstrated in glandular cervical epithelium, while squamous epithelia cells d…