Expression of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor in Tumor Blood Vessels

This study showed near-universal expression of FSH receptors on a subgroup of tumor-vessel endothelial cells in a band near the outer edge of tumors where they interface with normal tissue. FSH receptors may be exploitable clinically for imaging and treatment delivery. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor is a glycosylated transmembrane protein that binds FSH and belongs to the family of G-protein-coupled receptors. FSH, a key hormone in mammalian reproduction, is produced mainly in the anterior pituitary gland, and the target organs are the ovary and testis. In females, FSH stimulates follicular maturation and estrogen production through aromatization of androgens. 1 In males, FSH stimulates Sertoli-cell proliferation in immature testes and maintains normal spermatogenesis in adults. 2 In adult humans and animals, the FSH receptor is known to be expressed only in the testicular Sertoli cells and the ovarian granulosa cells, 3 , 4 and it . . .