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Summary: The objective of this study was to analyze the diagnostic and clinical role of the folate receptor-α (FOLR1) and folate receptor-γ (FOLR3) genes in effusion cytology. Expression of the FOLR1 protein product, FR-α, was additionally studied. Ninety-one effusions (71 ovarian carcinomas, 10 breast carcinomas, 10 malignant mesotheliomas) were assayed for FOLR1 and FOLR3 gene expression using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. FR-α expression was analyzed using flow cytometry. Ovarian carcinoma expression levels were analyzed for association with clinicopathologic parameters and survival. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed significantly higher FOLR1and FOLR3 mRNA levels in ovarian carcinomas compared with both breast carcinomas and mesotheliomas (P < .001). FOLR1 and FOLR3 mRNA levels were directly interrelated in ovarian carcinoma (P < .001). FR-α protein levels were similarly higher in ovarian carcinoma compared with the 2 other cancer types (P < .001). FOLR1and FOLR3 mRNA and FR-α protein expression in ovarian carcinoma effusions showed no association with clinical parameters or survival. Our data suggest that folate receptor levels effectively differentiate ovarian carcinoma from other cancers affecting the serosal cavities and that folate receptor genes are coexpressed in this tumor. The high expression of folate receptors in ovarian carcinoma supports their validity as molecular therapeutic targets in this disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hyperhomocysteinemia, highly prevalent in well-nourished patients with chronic renal failure and in uremia, causes toxic effects that can be envisioned in terms of cardiovascular risk increase. However, its effects on cellular metabolism and on gene expression, not to mention receptor regulation, only recently are being evaluated. For example, it has been shown that hypomethylation induced by hyperhomocysteinemia can alter erythrocyte membrane protein repair and gene expression. In addition, increased plasma protein L-isoaspartyl content, related to hyperhomocysteinemia and uremic toxicity, determines specific effects on protein function, with a reduced binding of homocysteine to albumin. We propose that uremia is a state in which proteins present a widespread derangement of structure-function relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]