RCAS1 presence in pregnant uterus with concomitant ovarian cancer – case presentation

Introduction:
RCAS1/EBAG9 transmembrane protein is responsible for tumor escape from host immune response, and also plays a role in creating immune tolerance during pregnancy. The aim of our research was to examine the relative amount of RCAS1 in tissue samples derived from pregnant uterus in 13th week of gestation with concomitant ovarian cancer.
Materials and methods:
We have estimated the relative amount of RCAS1 protein using western blot method with monoclonal antibodies (Mab-22–1–1). The material was obtained during surgical procedures (hysterectomy was performed in life indications) and histopathologically verified in the Anatomy and Pathology Department of Jagiellonian University.
Discussion:
RCAS1 presence was confirmed in all examined tissue samples. The highest relative amount of RCAS1 protein was indicated in tissue samples derived from shaggy chorion and in peritoneal metastases. The presence of RCAS1 protein in trophoblast cells and in ovarian carcinoma cells points out to a similar mechanism of immune tolerance in pregnancy and in neoplasm.