Differential expression of interleukins (IL) IL-13 and IL-15 throughout the menstrual cycle in endometrium of normal fertile women and women with recurrent spontaneous abortion

Interleukins (IL)-13 and IL-15 are novel cytokines and key regulators of immune/inflammatory related responses that are critical in the outcome of various normal biological and associated abnormalities of the endometrium. The present study determined the temporal and spatial expression of IL-13 and IL-15 mRNA and protein in endometrium of normal fertile women throughout the menstrual cycle, and examined whether profiles of their expression differ from endometrium of women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Using quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA and immunohistochemistry we found that IL-13 and IL-15 mRNA and protein are expressed in control endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and in RSA (cycle days 21-23) with peak expression detected immediately after and prior to onset of menses, and two distinct periods corresponding to late proliferative and the early-mid secretory phases, respectively. The ratio of IL-13:IL-15 expression revealed a predominance in IL-13 expression during late proliferative/early secretory phase and IL-15 during the mid secretory phase. Compared to control endometrium, endometrium of women with RSA expresses elevated levels of IL-13 and IL-15, with IL-13:IL-15 ratio favoring IL-13. The immunoreactive IL-13 and IL-15 were localized primarily in endometrial luminal epithelial cells with an increased intensity in glandular epithelial and stromal cells in RSA. In conclusion, the results indicate that endometrium of normal fertile women expresses IL-13 and IL-15, with a distinct profile during the menstrual cycle and elevated expression in women with RSA. Although the biological significance of IL-13 and IL-15 in human endometrium and their elevated expression in RSA await investigation, these cytokines with distinct biological functions may regulate endometrial inflammatory/immune responses, tissue repair and receptivity for embryo implantation.     

Histological characteristics and altered expression of interleukins (IL) IL-13 and IL-15 in endometria of levonorgestrel users with different uterine bleeding patterns

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between uterine bleeding patterns in levonorgestrel users with endometrial histology and expression of interleukins (IL) IL-13 and IL-15. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Academic research center. PATIENT(S): Questionnaires were sent to patients (n = 578) who had levonorgestrel implants concerning bleeding patterns; 35 of these patients were identified to have regular cycle (n = 13), amenorrhea (n = 8), or metrorrhagia (n = 14). INTERVENTION(S): Endometrial biopsies, serum, histology, and immunostaining. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Endometrial histological assessment and immunostaining for IL-13 and IL-15 and for blood levonorgestrel, E2, and progesterone levels by ELISA or RIA. RESULT(S): No correlation was found between circulating levonorgestrel, E2, or progesterone levels with the bleeding patterns, although a trend toward a lower E2 level was observed in patients with amenorrhea who had inactive endometrium. There was a direct correlation between bleeding patterns and endometrial histology, as well as IL-13 and IL-15 expression in patients with regular cycles and metrorrhagia, demonstrating secretory and proliferative endometrium, respectively. Some patients in each group were also identified as demonstrating endometritis. CONCLUSION(S): Endometrial histology may assist directing therapy and subsequently increasing compliance in progestin-only contraceptive users with irregular bleeding who fail to respond to standard therapies. Altered endometrial expression of IL-13 and IL-15, key cytokines in inflammatory and immune cell trafficking, may influence events, leading to irregular bleeding.     

AMH蛋白在性成熟小鼠卵泡发育不同阶段及自然衰老过程卵巢组织中的表达变化

目的:通过检测抗苗勒氏管激素(AMH)蛋白在成年小鼠卵泡发育不同阶段和自然衰老过程卵巢中的表达变化,为卵泡的生长发育调控及卵巢衰老发生发展的机制研究奠定理论基础。方法:选用12,24,36,48周龄自然衰老C57BL/6小鼠为模型。收集12周龄C57BL/6小鼠不同发育阶段的卵巢和24,36,48周龄自然衰老C57BL/6小鼠卵巢。采用免疫组织化学方法和蛋白印迹技术检测各组卵巢中AMH蛋白的表达。结果:免疫组织化学显示,AMH蛋白在始基卵泡、初级卵泡,次级卵泡、窦状卵泡的颗粒细胞中均有表达,但在黄体和闭锁卵泡的颗粒细胞中未见表达。始基卵泡颗粒细胞中AMH蛋白表达明显低于初级卵泡、次级卵泡和窦状卵泡(P<0.05);窦状卵泡颗粒细胞中AMH蛋白表达明显低于初级卵泡和次级卵泡(P<0.05);初级卵泡和次级卵泡的AMH蛋白表达未见明显差异(P>0.05)。不同鼠龄的小鼠同级别卵泡颗粒细胞AMH的染色程度未见明显差异;但是24周龄以后间质中开始出现AMH蛋白表达,并且AMH的表达随鼠龄增加而上升;48周龄小鼠卵巢间质中AMH蛋白表达明显高于24周龄和36周龄(P<0.05);24周龄与36周龄比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。蛋白印迹技术结果显示,AMH蛋白在小鼠卵巢组织中的表达随鼠龄增加而降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:AMH蛋白主要表达于卵泡发育早期阶段的颗粒细胞,并且其在间质中随鼠龄增加表达增强,但是在整个卵巢组织中其表达量随鼠龄增加而降低。提示AMH可能在卵泡发育以及卵巢衰老中起重要的调控作用。     

Significance of ovarian macrophages in the follicular aspirates from ART patients

Purpose: To evaluate the percentages of macrophages present in granulosa cells (GC) cultures from patients with different responses to the hyperstimulation, in relation to the percentages of apoptotic cells (ApC), as well as to the release of cytokines. Methods: We studied 42 patients: 12 Hyporesponders, (with ≤4 follicles), 15 Normoresponders, (5–14 follicles), and 15 Hyperresponders, (≥15 follicles). In GC cultures percentages of macrophages and ApC were counted and, in the conditioned media, cytokines were measured Results: Percentages of macrophages were significantly higher in GC cultures from Hyporesponders compared with Hyperresponders patients. Also, the percentages of ApC cells were the highest in Hyporesponders. On the contrary, cytokines concentrations were the lowest in this group. Conclusions: The low ovarian response is probably due to the decreased angiogenesis, which in turn produces increased apoptosis and decreased production of cytokines. The increased percentage of macrophages could be related to increased frequency of apoptotic cells.     

线粒体融合基因2在小鼠卵巢组织中的表达及意义

目的:检测小鼠卵巢组织中线粒体融合基因2(Mfn2)的表达、ATP水平以及卵巢组织的超微结构,探讨Mfn2与卵巢功能的相关性。方法:采用Western blot和real-time PCR分别检测年轻组(8～10周龄,20例)和老龄组小鼠(52～54周龄,20例)卵巢组织中Mfn2蛋白和Mfn2 mRNA的表达;磷钼酸比色法检测小鼠卵巢组织中ATP含量;透射电镜观察卵巢组织的超微结构。结果:老龄组小鼠卵巢组织中Mfn2蛋白的表达水平(0.234±0.120)显著低于年轻组(0.876±0.460),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。老龄组小鼠卵巢组织中Mfn2 mRNA相对表达量为(0.0063±0.0034)显著低于年轻组(0.0232±0.0045),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。老龄组小鼠卵巢组织中ATP含量[(20.6±7.2)μmol/g]显著低于年轻组[(33.8±11.5)μmol/g]。电镜显示,年轻组小鼠卵巢组织中的线粒体形态规则,轮廓光滑完整,线粒体嵴排列基本规则,老龄组小鼠卵巢组织中线粒体断裂增加,线粒体嵴肿胀,线粒体内出现空泡。结论:老龄组小鼠Mfn2表达水平下降,线粒体出现功能下降和结构损伤。Mfn2表达水平下降可能参与与年龄相关的卵巢功能维持。     

Long-term function of ovarian tissue transplants

The long term duration of function of ovarian cortical tissue grafts is reviewed in this paper by describing cases of restoration of fertility by transplant of ovarian cortical tissue from matching donors where the recipient was in need of the transplant due to sterilizing effects of leukemia, premature ovarian failure (POF), and to reflect that it may be possible to postpone the normal time of menopause or to alleviate its symptoms.     

A technique for laparoscopic transplantation of frozen-banked ovarian tissue

Objective: To describe a laparoscopic technique for transplanting frozen-banked ovarian tissue.

Design: Case study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Patient(s): A patient whose ovarian tissue was previously frozen with the slow-freeze technique.

Intervention(s): Microsurgical reconstruction of ovarian cortex and its laparoscopic transplantation to the ovarian fossa.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Blood flow to the grafts by doppler, follicle development and ovulation by ultrasound, E₂ and progesterone production, and resumption of spontaneous menses.

Result(s): The patient ovulated and menstruated 4 months after the transplant in response to ovarian stimulation with menopausal gonadotropins.

Conclusion(s): Laparoscopic transplantation of frozen-banked ovarian tissue beneath the pelvic peritoneum can restore ovarian function.     

DFF45 expression in ovarian endometriomas

Objective

Endometriosis, defined as a spread of endometrium outside the uterus cavity, affects up to 30% women of reproductive age, with the ovaries being its most common localization. In the ectopic lesions, endometrial cells show abnormal proliferation and impaired apoptosis. The DNA destruction during apoptosis is a direct result of activation of the DFF40/DFF45 complex. DFF40 (DNA fragmentation factor of 40 kDa) is responsible for direct DNA fragmentation while DFF45 (DNA fragmentation factor of 45 kDa) acts not only as a DFF40 inhibitor, but also as its chaperone. Therefore, the presence of DFF45 is required for proper DFF40 synthesis. The aim of this study was to determine the DFF45 level in human ovarian endometriosis.

Study design

The endometriosis samples were collected from 43 affected women, while the 81 normal endometrial specimens were obtained from the control group. Western blot and immunohistochemistry tests were used to determine the DFF45 level in examined tissues.

Results

The expression of DFF45 in normal human endometrium and ovarian endometriosis was confirmed using both the Western blot and the immunohistochemistry tests. In normal eutopic proliferatory endometrium, a lower DFF45 expression was observed compared with secretory endometrium, while no cyclic changes in DFF45 expression were observed in the ovarian endometriomas. In the normal eutopic endometrium, stronger DFF45 staining was noted in the endometrial glands in comparison to the stroma, irrespective of menstrual cycle phase. However, in the ovarian endometriosis no difference between the glandular layer and stroma in DFF45 immunoreactivity was appreciated. The lowest level of DFF45 was observed in ovarian endometriosis when compared with both normal eutopic proliferatory and secretory endometria using the Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis.

Conclusions

A decreased level of DFF45 observed in ovarian endometriosis may be a part of an apoptosis-resistant mechanism enhancing the disease progression.     

人卵巢组织冷冻保存的实验研究

目的 :探讨冷冻保存对人卵巢皮质内各级卵泡形态及对组织体外培养的影响。方法 :取手术切除的 30例患者的卵巢皮质 ,放入二甲基亚砜配制的冷冻保护液中 ,应用程序冷冻法保存于液氮内。冷冻前后取部分卵巢皮质行组织学检测 ;同时培养部分组织块观察上清中雌二醇分泌的变化。结果 :冷冻后存活的始基卵泡 ,与新鲜组比较无显著改变 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,初级卵泡的存活率显著下降 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;而冷冻保存不会明显降低始基卵泡与初级卵泡总的存活率 (P >0 .0 5 )。复温后卵巢组织中仅见 1枚形态正常的次级卵泡。冷冻后培养上清中雌二醇水平与新鲜组比较无明显差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论 :程序冷冻法可以较好地保存人卵巢皮质内的始基卵泡 ,且不影响冷冻后卵巢组织的激素分泌。     

冻融后移植的小鼠卵巢组织对促性腺激素的反应

目的 探讨冻融后移植的小鼠卵巢组织对促性腺激素的反应.方法 将36只性成熟雌性小白鼠随机分为新鲜移植组、冻融移植组和对照组,每组12只.新鲜移植组小鼠切除双侧卵巢,将卵巢切成小组织块,立即移植人双侧肾被膜下;冻融移植组小鼠切除双侧卵巢,将卵巢切成小组织块,采用玻璃化冷冻方法冷冻保存,2周后将冷冻卵巢组织复苏,移植入小鼠双侧肾被膜下.卵巢组织移植2周后,新鲜移植组和冻融移植组每组随机取6只小鼠应用7.5 IU人绝经期促性腺激素及10 IU绒毛膜促性腺激素,观察移植后的卵巢组织对促性腺激素的反应.同时应用免疫组化染色方法观察各组卵泡中卵泡刺激素受体的表达情况.结果 新鲜移植组、冻融移植组和对照组未应用促性腺激素小鼠卵巢组织内近成熟卵泡百分率分别为2.3%、2.3%和2.6%,应用促性腺激素小鼠卵巢组织内近成熟卵泡百分率分别为4.2%、4.0%和5.8%,各组内分别比较,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);新鲜移植组和冻融移植组与对照组比较,差异均元统计学意义(P＞0.05).新鲜移植组、冻融移植组和对照组卵泡刺激素受体表达积分吸光度值在窦状卵泡中分别为9408±2777、9175±3093和8838±2064,在窦前卵泡中分别为4531±1903、4808±1386和5516±1136,各组间分别比较,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 卵巢组织冷冻保存、复苏及移植过程未影响卵巢卵泡刺激素受体的表达,冻融后移植的小鼠卵巢组织对外源性促性腺激素的反应未受冷冻、复苏及移植等过程影响.     

Glypican-3 expression in primary and recurrent ovarian carcinomas.

The identification of glypican-3 (GPC3) expression in malignant neoplasms is potentially of interest because GPC3 might represent a therapeutic target. Tissue microarrays containing tissue cylinders from 308 patients with ovarian carcinomas were used for an immunohistochemical study. There were 255 serous, 38 endometrioid, and 15 clear-cell carcinomas included. From 76 patients, paired tissue samples of primary serous ovarian carcinomas and their corresponding recurrences after platinum-based chemotherapy were available. Glypican-3 was expressed in a total of 17.9% of ovarian carcinomas and was strongly associated with the clear-cell histotype (P = 0.0001). Glypican-3 expression was not associated with tumor stage. Positive staining for GPC3 was also observed in a significant fraction of recurrent carcinomas but was not particularly associated with chemoresponse. In conclusion, our data show that GPC3 is observed in a significant fraction of primary and corresponding recurrent ovarian carcinomas. Glypican-3 may therefore represent a potential target for (second-line) therapy in ovarian cancer.     

IL-6 and G-CSF levels in amniotic fluid during the second trimester in normal and abnormal pregnancies

Activity levels of cytokines were measured by stimulation of the cell lines NFS-60, 7TD1, and TF-1. In 39 samples of amniotic fluid, levels of Granulocyte-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) were 1434±2063 (mean±SD) and of Interleukin (IL-6) 546±1071 pg/ml; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) was not detectable. IL-6 was correlated to G-CSF (r=0.3; p=0.003). G-CSF (p=0.0002) and IL-6 (p=0.006) were influenced by Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) and G-CSF by rhesus-incompatibility (p=0.0004). These findings suggest that cytokines such as IL-6 and G-CSF play some role in physiological and pathological pregnancy.Abbreviations G-CSF granulocyte-colony stimulating factor - GM-CSF granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor - M-CSF macrophage-colony stimulating factor - CSF colonystimulating factor - IL-6 interleukin-6 - IL-11 interleukin-11 - AFP alpha-fetoprotein - NFS-60 cell line - 7TD1 cell line - TF-l cell line - rh recombinant human - MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide - FCS fetal calf serum - RPMI 1640 nutrient solution - ATCC American Tissue Culture Collection Correspondence to: E. Weimann     

Quantitation of antigens in normal and malignant ovarian tissue.

Evidence is presented that at least one of the antigens of human ovarian cancer tissue which appeared to be tumor-associated in immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis experiments actually represents a quantitative rather than a qualitative difference between normal and malignant tissue. A glucoprotein band (Rf equals 0.01) believed to contain at least one tumor-associated antigen was isolated by disc-gel electrophoresis with 5.6 per cent SDS-acrylamide and was used to immunize rabbits. Immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis experiments with the resulting antiserum indicated that the glycoprotein band contained two antigens, one which was present in normal extracts at a concentration approximately one tenth of that in tumor extracts and another which was detectable only in tumor tissue. The tenfold difference between normal and tumor tissue was confirmed by studies of the appearance and disappearance of the glycoprotein band when acrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed on varying amounts of normal and tumor extracts.     

黄素化颗粒细胞端粒酶的表达及与卵巢功能关系的初步研究

目的　了解端粒酶在人卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞的表达 ,及与卵巢生殖功能的关系。方法　收集 2 2例行体外受精 胚胎移植或卵胞浆单精子显微注射患者的卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞 ,采用原位杂交法及端粒末端重复序列扩增法 ,分别检测人端粒酶催化亚单位 (hTERT)mRNA及端粒酶活性。结果　黄素化颗粒细胞普遍表达hTERTmRNA ,但其表达强弱不一。 2 2份卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞标本中 ,16份 (73% )有端粒酶活性 ,与血清基础促卵泡激素水平呈负相关 (P <0 .0 1) ,且随年龄增长呈下降趋势。结论　端粒酶可能对维持卵巢功能起重要作用 ,卵巢功能下降可能与卵巢颗粒细胞端粒酶活性降低有关     

Multidrug resistance-related phenotype and apoptosis-related protein expression in ovarian serous carcinomas

OBJECTIVE: Multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapy is a major obstacle in attempts to improve the clinical outcome of ovarian carcinoma patients. The MDR-related phenotype is associated with over-expression of certain drug transporters, such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), and lung resistance protein (LRP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent and prognostic significance of MDR-related protein expression in ovarian serous carcinomas. In addition, we correlated expression of these proteins with the apoptosis-related proteins p53, bcl-2, and bax. METHODS: Consecutive sections from 60 cases of ovarian serous carcinoma were assessed immunohistochemically for expression of P-gp, MRP1, LRP, p53, bcl-2, and bax. The level of protein expression was scored based on staining intensity and extent. RESULTS: Strong P-gp expression was observed in 12 (20%), MRP1 in 39 (65%), LRP in 27 (45%), p53 in 45 (75%), bcl-2 in 25 (41.7%), and bax in 30 (50%) of the 60 tumors. MRP1 expression was associated with both p53 and bcl-2 expressions (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively). Univariate analysis of survival revealed a significant inverse correlation between P-gp expression and patient survival (P = 0.015). Moreover, P-gp expression was significantly increased in tumors of patients unresponsive to chemotherapy (P = 0.009). Multivariate analysis revealed that only FIGO stage and P-gp expression were useful negative independent predictors of survival (P = 0.035 and P = 0.045, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study demonstrates that P-gp expression may be a reliable independent prognostic factor of survival in patients with ovarian serous carcinoma. Moreover, P-gp immunostaining may be useful for dividing ovarian carcinoma patients into chemoresponsive and chemoresistant groups.