Immunohistochemical localization of inhibin-activin subunits in hydatidiform mole and invasive mole.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the cellular localization of each inhibin subunit in hydatidiform mole and invasive mole.

METHODS

Tissues were collected and fixed in Bouin's solution and studied with the immunohistochemical technique avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex.

RESULTS

In the villous trophoblasts of hydatidiform mole and invasive mole, distinct immunostaining for inhibin alpha-subunit was observed in proliferative syncytiotrophoblasts, but not in the cytotrophoblasts. Positive immunostaining for beta A- and beta B-subunits was observed in both syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts. In extravillous trophoblasts of the invasive mole, staining for beta A- and beta B-subunits was observed, whereas staining for alpha-subunit was not detected.

CONCLUSION

Inhibin-activin subunits may be produced in the trophoblasts of hydatidiform mole and invasive mole, and inhibin and activin may play a role in trophoblastic proliferation and invasion.