Aberrant expression of homeobox gene HOXA7 is associated with müllerian-like differentiation of epithelial ovarian tumors and the generation of a specific autologous antibody response

Honami Naora, Fredrick J. Montz, Chee Yin Chai, Richard B.S. Roden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

Autologous serum antibodies to molecules that are aberrantly expressed in tumors represent potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of cancer. In this study, we identified the homeobox gene HOXA7 as encoding an antigen in epithelial tumors of the ovary. These tumors are thought to arise from the simple epithelium lining the ovarian surface, but they often resemble the specialized epithelia derived from the müllerian ducts. Expression of HOXA7 was detected in ovarian tumors exhibiting müllerian-like features and correlated with the generation of anti-HOXA7 antibodies by patients. In contrast, it was observed that healthy women lack anti-HOXA7 antibodies (P < 0.0001) and that HOXA7 expression is absent from normal ovarian surface epithelium. Interestingly, HOXA7 expression was detected in the müllerian-like epithelium lining inclusion cysts in normal ovaries and in the müllerian duct-derived epithelium of normal fallopian tubes. Furthermore, ectopic expression of HOXA7 enhanced the epithelial phenotype of immortalized ovarian surface epithelial cells, as indicated by the appearance of cobblestone morphology, induction of E-cadherin expression, and down-regulation of vimentin. These findings associate aberrant HOXA7 expression with the müllerian-like differentiation of epithelial ovarian tumors and suggest diagnostic utility of serum antibodies to HOXA7.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)15209-15214
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume98
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 18 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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