Increased expression of one isoform of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein in peritoneal fluid of women with uterine leiomyomas

Objective: To compare the peritoneal fluid (PF) proteome of women with and without uterine leiomyomas. Study design: PF samples were collected at laparoscopy from 14 women with uterine leiomyomas and 14 patients without leiomyomas who underwent tubal sterilization. PF samples were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, silver stained, digitally captured, and compared by computerised analysis. Protein spots with aberrant expression in PF of women with leiomyomas were identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results: One isoform of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein (LRGm), one immunoglobulin light chain, and one unidentified protein (pI: 5.62; M _r: 51.1 kDa) had significantly higher expression in PF of women with leiomyomas. Two isoforms of fibrinogen gamma chain had decreased expression in PF of women with uterine leiomyomas. Following Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, the aberrant expressions of LRGm and of one isoform of fibrinogen gamma chain was confirmed. The expression of these molecules was not affected by the phase of the menstrual cycle. Conclusions: Uterine leiomyomas are associated with changes in proteins present within the peritoneal fluid. The physiopathological relevance of the increased expression of LRGm in PF of women with uterine leiomyomas remains unclear.