Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor-2 (EphA2) is overexpressed in ovarian cancer. The N-terminals of EphA2 are processed by membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) and can subsequently induce ligand-independent signal activation to promote motility, invasion, and metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether EphA2 processing occurs in benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian tumours. Overall 107 ovarian epithelial carcinomas (OECs; 47 serous, 24 endometrioid, 16 mucinous, and 20 clear cell), 54 ovarian borderline tumours (OBTs; 12 serous, 42 mucinous), and 45 adenomas (15 serous, 17 mucinous, and 13 endometriotic cysts) were evaluated. Expression and processing of EphA2 were semi-quantitatively analyzed. EphA2 processing was also investigated by immunoblotting. EphA2 and MT1-MMP co-expression were detected. N-terminal EphA2 levels were significantly lower than those of C-terminal EphA2 in OECs and OBTs, but not in adenomas. Immunoblotting revealed processed fragments in OEC and OBTs. EphA2 processing by MT1-MMP is associated with malignant transformation in ovarian tumours.
