The IL-17 plays a crucial role in the invasion of tumors. However, the effects of IL-17 on the invasion of human pituitary adenomas are still unknown. The current study is designed to investigate the possible involvement of IL-17 in the invasion of adenomas. By collecting invasive and non-invasive pituitary adenomas, the mRNA and protein levels of IL-17, IL-17R and MMP-9 are investigated. The results obtained from IHC showed that the strong positive rate and the total positive rate of IL-17, IL-17R and MMP-9 expression cells in the non-invasive group were 17.1 and 51.43%, 14.3 and 54.3%, 17.1 and 57.1%, respectively. In contrast, the strong positive rate and the total positive rate of the invasive group were significantly higher than that of the non-invasive group, which were 37.5 and 82.5%, 52.5 and 87.5%, 67.5 and 92.5%, respectively. Meanwhile, the serum IL-17 level in the invasive pituitary adenomas patients was significantly higher than in the non-invasive groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA levels of IL-17, IL-17R and MMP-9 were also higher in the invasive group than in the non-invasive group with statistical differences (P < 0.05), and where the expression levels of IL-17 and IL-17R had positive correlation with that of MMP-9 in the invasive group. These results suggested that IL-17 may promote the invasion of pituitary adenomas.
A 63-year-old man presented with sexual dysfunction of 6-year duration, 5-year history of bilateral vision loss, and left nasal obstruction for 3 years. Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a large mass lesion in the saddle area and extending upward to the dorsum sellae, bilateral cavernous sinus, and suprasellar region, and down into the sphenoid sinus and nasal cavity; the optic nerves and optic chiasm were elevated upward and compressed. Endocrine tests indicated that all serum level of anterior pituitary hormones decreased. The preoperative diagnosis included invasive pituitary adenoma, chordoma, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and craniopharyngioma. The tumour was subtotally removed through transsphenoidal approach. Histopathology examination revealed a chondroma. Postoperatively, the patient was stable and his visual acuity and visual field defect improved and his pituitary function return to normal except for hypothyroidism.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.