The TRAF2 and TRAF6 expression in myomas and myometrium of women in reproduction and perimenopausal age

Uterine myomas represent one of the most common female diseases. Uterine myomas or fibromas are benign, hormone-responding tumours of, respectively, smooth muscles and fibroblasts and their aetiology induces a significant interest. In myomas the presence of aromatase was detected and, in addition, oestrogen was found to be synthesized in myoma cells. The studies were performed on myoma patients of generative age and those in peri-menopausal age. Expression of TRAF2 and TRAF6 proteins was examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blot approach in small and large uterine myomas isolated from women of various age. In addition, the evaluation was conducted at the periphery of every myoma. We indicated that the level of both tested proteins in myomas is higher than in control. TRAF2 level in myometrium was lower than in myomas but higher than in control. In the case of TRAF6 those changes were ambiguous. Age didn't have influence the level of expression in both tested TRAF in studied structures.