The altered distribution of the steroid hormone receptors and the chaperone immunophilin FKBP52 in a baboon model of endometriosis is associated with progesterone resistance during the window of uterine receptivity

This study examines the distribution of estrogen receptors (ESR), progesterone receptors (Pgr), and the chaperone immunophilin FKBP52 in the eutopic endometrium in a baboon model of endometriosis during the window of receptivity to determine if their aberrant distribution contributes to reduced fecundity. Endometriosis was induced by inoculation of menstrual endometrium into the peritoneal cavity. Eutopic endometrium was collected at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months postinoculation. Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Isolated endometrial stromal cells were cultured in the presence or absence of steroid hormones. In animals with endometriosis, ESR-1 (ER-alpha) decreased in endometrial stromal cells, while ESR-2 (ER-beta) was reduced in both glandular epithelial (GE) and stromal cells. Immunoreactive total Pgr was markedly diminished in the GE, which was confirmed by WB analysis. Furthermore, treatment of isolated stromal cells from baboons with endometriosis with hormones did not increase levels of PRA or PRB as in control baboons. FKBP52 was also reduced in the eutopic endometrium of baboons with endometriosis. Endometriosis results in an aberrant distribution of ESR-1, ESR-2, Pgr, and FKBP52 in the eutopic endometrium. The authors propose that a dysregulation in the paracrine signaling between the endometrial stromal and GE cells reduces the responsiveness of Pgr, creating an endometrial environment that is unsuitable for implantation.     

Effect of mifepristone on estrogen and progesterone receptors in human endometrial and endometriotic cells in vitro

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of estrogen (E) receptor and progesterone (P) receptor in human eutopic and ectopic endometrium and the effect of mifepristone (RU486) on them. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Twenty-two patients with ovarian endometriosis and 13 patients with uterine leiomyoma were recruited. INTERVENTION(S): Samples of ovarian endometrioma cyst tissue and endometrium were obtained from the 22 patients. A sample of endometrium was obtained from the 13 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expressions of E and P receptors were determined using immunocytochemical method. RESULT(S): P receptor expression in endometrial epithelial cells with endometriosis was significantly higher than that without endometriosis in the early secretory phase. Estrogen receptor and epithelial P receptor expressions in endometriotic cells were significantly lower than those of endometrial cells during the proliferative phase, similar with the latter during the early secretory phase and significantly higher during the late secretory phase. RU486 down-regulated the expressions of E and P receptors in both the eutopic and the ectopic endometrial cells, and in some cases this down-regulating effect was more apparent when the concentration of RU486 was higher. CONCLUSION(S): Different steroid receptor expressions indicate different hormonal regulation between endometriotic and endometrial cells. The down-regulating effect on E and P receptors may be one of the therapeutic mechanisms of RU486 on endometriosis.     

Activin-A secretion is increased in the eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis

BACKGROUND: Activin is a well-characterised growth and differentiation factor and an important inflammatory mediator. Activin is secreted by normal endometrial glands and stroma and is expressed by endometrial leucocytes. It is also known that the eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis is functionally different to that from women without endometriosis. In this study, we hypothesise that the endometrial secretion of activin is altered in women with endometriosis. AIMS: To determine whether the expression of inhibin/activin subunits and the secretion of activin-A is different in eutopic endometrium from women with and without endometriosis. METHODS: Endometrial biopsies were obtained from premenopausal, regularly menstruating women with and without endometriosis. Staining intensity for the different inhibin/activin subunits was compared in endometrial and endometriotic biopsies. Activin-A secretion was studied using endometrial explants and endometrial glandular and stromal monolayer cell cultures. RESULTS: The alpha- and betaA-subunits of inhibin/activin were more abundant in eutopic glandular cells from patients with minimal to mild endometriosis compared to women without endometriosis. In patients with endometriosis, the betaB-subunit was more abundant in eutopic stromal cells and endometrial leucocytes. Comparison of paired endometrial and endometriotic biopsies from the same patient did not reveal significant differences for any of the inhibin/activin subunits or activin receptors. Activin-A secretion by glandular and stromal endometrial cells was sevenfold and threefold higher, respectively, in women with endometriosis compared to women without endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of inhibin/activin subunits in eutopic endometrium is altered in women with endometriosis, leading to higher levels of activin-A secretion by both glandular cells and stromal cells.     

Characterization of periostin expression in human endometrium and endometriotic lesions

Objective(s): To investigate the expression of periostin in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women diagnosed as endometriosis and evaluate the role of periostin in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Study design: In this study, the expression of periostin was evaluated in the endometrial specimens from 35 women diagnosed as endometriosis and from 30 healthy women. To assess the presence and localization of periostin throughout the menstrual cycle in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with endometriosis, microscopic evaluation was conducted. It was also subsequently compared with normal endometrium. Results: In the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with endometriosis, immunoreactivities of periostin increased compared with those of normal endometrium. We also observed a cyclic variation in the eutopic stromal periostin immunoreactivity throughout their menstrual cycle because higher H score values were observed in the proliferative phase than those in the secretory phase. Conclusion(s): These findings indicated that periostin may be involved in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.     

Reduction of apoptosis and proliferation in endometriosis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether endometriosis could be related to an impaired balance between apoptosis and proliferation, two processes which could be modulated by hormonal status. DESIGN: Immunohistochemical study. SETTING: Academic research laboratory. INTERVENTION(S): Endometriotic samples obtained from peritoneum of women aged 26-40 years who were undergoing laparoscopy for pain or infertility. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Apoptotic cells were detected with the use of the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The production of p53 and bcl-2, estrogen and Progesterone (P) receptors, and cellular proliferation were assessed by immunohistochemistry in eutopic and ectopic endometria from 30 patients with endometriosis throughout the menstrual cycle. Results were compared with those from normal endometria from 15 fertile patients. RESULT(S): Endometriotic lesions were characterized by reduced TUNEL and p53 stainings and by enhanced bcl-2 staining. No correlation between apoptosis and estrogen receptor or P receptor levels was found. A lower amount of steroid receptor was found in endometriotic tissues, without cyclic modulation, compared with the eutopic endometrium. CONCLUSION(S): Our results suggest that when endometrial tissue is located at ectopic locations, it differs from eutopic endometrium by its proliferation rate, steroid hormone levels, and markers of apoptosis. A reduced sensitivity of endometriotic cells to apoptosis could promote the dissemination and implantation of these cells to ectopic sites.     

孕激素受体亚型在卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿组织的表达

目的:探讨内异症治疗中“孕激素耐受”影响疗效的可能机制。方法:选取30例卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿患者的巧克力囊肿组织,其中6例同时行子宫切除术患者的在位内膜组织和13例正常内膜组织,采用RT-PCR技术半定量检测子宫内膜异位症(EMs)组织中孕激素受体亚型hPR-A+B和hPR-B的基因表达。结果:巧克力囊肿组织中总PR和PR-BmRNA表达明显低于正常内膜组织和EMs患者在位内膜组织,差异有统计学意义;巧克力囊肿组织中PR-B/PR-A+BmRNA的比值低于正常子宫内膜组织,差异有统计学意义。结论:PR和PR-B/PR-A+BmRNA的比值降低可能与EM治疗中“孕激素耐受”相关。     

TWEAK在子宫内膜异位症在位和异位内膜上的表达

目的:探讨肿瘤坏死因子样凋亡的微弱诱导剂(TWEAK)在子宫内膜异位症(EMs)发病的关系。方法:采用实时定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应(Real-time RT-PCR)和免疫组化、Western Blot方法检测EMs患者在位内膜、异位病灶中TWEAK mRNA和蛋白的表达,并与正常对照子宫内膜比较。结果:TWEAK蛋白表达于子宫内膜的腺上皮细胞和间质细胞的胞浆内。与正常对照组内膜和在位组内膜相比,TWEAK mRNA和蛋白在异位内膜上表达量下调(P<0.05),且无论是EMs在位内膜还是对照组内膜,其增生期TWEAK mRNA表达明显低于分泌期(P<0.05)。结论:TWEAK在子宫内膜中表达,表达量在分泌期明显升高。EMs患者异位子宫内膜TWEAK表达降低,可能导致子宫内膜细胞的凋亡水平下降,参与EMs的发生发展过程。     

血管内皮生长因子受体KDRmRNA和flt-1mRNA与子宫内膜异位症相关性研究

目的探讨血管内皮生长因子受体(VEGFR)中的fms样酪氨酸激酶受体(flt-1)和胎肝激酶受体(KDR)在子宫内膜异位症(内异症)患者异位及在位子宫内膜组织中的表达及其意义.方法采用RT-PCR技术,从核酸水平检测53例内异症患者(44例卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿,30例内异症在位子宫内膜组织)中的VEGF受体KDRmRNA、flt-1mRNA的阳性表达率及相对表达强度,以40例正常子宫内膜组织作为对照.结果与对照组比较,研究组KDRmRNA和flt-1mRNA的阳性表达率高于对照组,差异有显著性(P＜0.05);研究组在位内膜增殖期与分泌期的阳性表达率、相对表达强度高于对照组子宫内膜组织,差异有显著性(P＜0.05);不同月经周期在位内膜组织KDRmRNA和flt-1mRNA的表达、两组增殖期KDRmRNA相对表达强度高于分泌期flt-1mRNA,而flt-1mRNA分泌期相对表达强度高于KDRmRNA.结论VEGF受体KDRmRNA和flt-1mRNA在内异症中有明显表达并呈周期依赖性.VEGF受体在内异症血管生成中的作用,可能与内异症远处转移、侵袭、种植相关.     

端粒酶逆转录酶在子宫内膜异位症中的表达及意义

目的:研究端粒酶逆转录酶(hTERT)在子宫内膜异位症(EMs)在位内膜及异位内膜组织中的表达,探讨hTERT在EMs发生过程中的作用。方法:应用免疫组化SP法检测54例EMs患者及15例正常子宫内膜中hTERT的表达情况,应用显微镜及相关软件评估hTERT在EMs患者在位内膜及异位内膜组织中的表达,以及其随着月经周期变化的表达情况。分析子宫内膜异位病灶组织中hTERT表达与CA125、月经周期、r-AFs分期及年龄之间的相关关系。结果:EMs异位内膜病灶处hTERT表达水平显著高于在位内膜、正常子宫内膜(P0.05);EMs在位内膜显著高于正常子宫内膜(P0.05)。正常内膜和EMs在位内膜中,月经周期变化对hTERT的表达无明显影响。EMs病灶处hTERT的表达水平与血清中CA125水平呈正相关(r=0.367,P0.05),而与月经周期、r-AFs分期和年龄呈无明显相关性。结论:hTERT在EMs中异常表达,表明hTERT在EMs的发生过程中起着一定的作用。     

Progesterone-mediated regulation of catechol-O-methyl transferase expression in endometrial cancer cells

The effects of estrogen and progesterone on the expression of estrogen-metabolizing enzymes such as catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) are not known. COMT converts genotoxic catecholestrogens to anticarcinogenic methoxyestrogens in the endometrium. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of progesterone on COMT expression in well-differentiated endometrial cancer cells. The wild-type Ishikawa cell line as well as progesterone receptor A- or progesterone receptor B-transfected Ishikawa cells were used for in vitro studies. The regulation of COMT expression by progesterone was studied using Western blots, Hoechst dye DNA proliferation studies, and wild-type and/or site-directed mutagenesis of COMT promoter 1-luciferase reporter gene. Progesterone upregulated COMT protein expression in Ishikawa cells through progesterone receptor A isoform. COMT promoter activity was differentially regulated by the 3 half-site progesterone response elements in the COMT promoter. High doses of 2-ME2 inhibited Ishikawa cell proliferation. These data suggest that COMT expression is hormonally regulated in well-differentiated human endometrial cancer cells. COMT regulation and 2-ME2 production in the endometrium may affect endometrial carcinogenesis.     

子宫内膜异位症裸鼠模型子宫内膜的雌、孕激素受体表达

目的:建立子宫内膜异位症裸鼠模型,观察子宫内膜的雌激素受体(ERs)、孕激素受体(PRs)及其亚型的表达情况,为进一步探讨内异症子宫内膜孕激素抵抗的发生机制提供研究模型。方法:建立子宫内膜异位症裸鼠模型,分别于造模后1月、2月、3月取裸鼠子宫内膜,利用RT-qPCR和Western blot法检测其孕激素受体(PRA、PRB)和雌激素受体(ERα、ERβ)表达情况。结果:与对照组相比,内异症组裸鼠内膜的PRB和ERα表达降低,在造模后3月最明显;PR和ERβ表达升高,PRB/PRA和ERα/ERβ比值降低,均在造模后3月最明显。结论:子宫内膜异位症裸鼠模型是研究内异症的理想模型之一,造模后的裸鼠内膜存在孕激素抵抗。     

β-catenin在子宫内膜异位症患者在位内膜中的表达

目的:探讨β-catenin在子宫内膜异位症(EMs)患者在位内膜的增殖与凋亡活性的关联,及其在EMs发病中的作用。方法:共收集68例EMs患者在位内膜组织(EMs组)和70例非EMs患者子宫内膜(对照组),采用免疫组织化学技术分析子宫内膜组织β-catenin的表达情况。TUNEL检测分析子宫内膜组织的凋亡活性,Ki67免疫组织化学染色分析子宫内膜组织的增殖活性。结果:与对照组比,EMs患者在位内膜Ki67表达明显增强,TUNEL阳性细胞明显减少(P<0.05)。在位内膜腺上皮及间质β-catenin表达明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。β-catenin在胞质及胞核的表达明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。直线相关分析结果显示无论是正常内膜还是EMs患者在位内膜,β-catenin的表达与Ki67表达均呈正相关,与TUNEL结果均呈负相关。结论:EMs患者在位内膜β-catenin的异常高表达可能通过上调内膜组织的增殖活性,下调其凋亡性而参与EMs的发病。     

Xanthine oxidase in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in endometriosis and adenomyosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of xanthine oxidase in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in endometriosis and adenomyosis. DESIGN: Immunohistochemical identification of xanthine oxidase in endometrial tissues by using polyclonal antibody. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Thirty-four women with endometriosis, 34 women with adenomyosis, and 44 fertile control women. INTERVENTION(S): Biopsy samples were obtained from the endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semiquantitative immunostaining (evaluation nomogram) score of endometrial cells. RESULT(S): The level of xanthine oxidase expression in the glandular epithelium of control varied according to menstrual phase, but no such variation in expression was seen in endometriosis. Variation in xanthine oxidase expression was observed during the menstrual cycle in patients with adenomyosis; this variation differed completely from that in controls. Xanthine oxidase expression was found in ectopic endometrial tissue in all cases. The mean evaluation nomogram levels in the glandular epithelium in adenomyosis tissue were as high as those in the early secretory phase in the eutopic endometrium. CONCLUSION(S): Aberrant expression of xanthine oxidase in eutopic and ectopic endometrium appears to play a pathologic role in endometriosis and adenomyosis.     

Expression and possible role of interleukin-10 receptors in patients with adenomyosis

Objective

To investigate the expression and potential roles of interleukin-10 receptor 1 (IL-10R1) and interleukin-10 receptor 2 (IL-10R2) in adenomyosis.

Study design

This prospective study examined 33 women with histologically proven adenomyosis and 21 women without adenomyosis who had undergone hysterectomy for non-endometrial pathology. Comparative immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression and localization of IL-10R1 and IL-10R2. Tissue sections were immunostained with goat anti-human interleukin-10 receptor alpha and rabbit anti-human interleukin-10 receptor beta antibodies. The presence and localization of IL-10R1 and IL-10R2 were evaluated microscopically throughout the menstrual cycle in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues of women with adenomyosis, and the results were compared with those for normal endometrium.

Results

IL-10R1 and IL-10R2 were mainly expressed by epithelial cells in both women with adenomyosis and controls. Epithelial expression of IL-10R1 and IL-10R2 was higher in adenomyotic samples than in eutopic endometrium of women with adenomyosis or normal endometrium. Moreover, epithelial expression of IL-10R1 was higher in eutopic endometrium of women with adenomyosis than in normal endometrium. Epithelial expression of IL-10R1 showed cyclic variation in eutopic endometrium of women with adenomyosis and normal endometrium, with elevated expression in secretory-phase tissues compared with proliferative-phase tissues.

Conclusions

Intrinsic abnormalities concerning IL-10 and IL-10 receptors may be present in eutopic and ectopic endometria of women with adenomyosis. These findings suggest that IL-10 receptors may be involved in the immunotolerant and/or anti-inflammatory process of adenomyosis.     

Estrogen and progesterone receptors and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in endometrial cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, and normal endometrium

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is seen in endometrial cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, and normal endometria and whether it correlates with expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors. METHODS: The study was a retrospective, IRB-approved analysis of biopsy samples from 14 patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma, 19 with endometrial hyperplasias, and 10 with normal endometrium. Excluded were samples from women with a history of pelvic radiation, NSAID use, or treatment with hormones during previous year. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Expression of COX-2, estrogen and progesterone receptors were scored according to the proportion of positive-staining cells: 1(+), <10%; 2(+), 10-50%; and 3(+), >50%. A score > or =2(+) was considered positive. Fisher's exact test and analysis of variance were used to compare proportions and continuous variables, respectively. RESULTS: Overexpression of COX-2 was seen in 4 (29%) of the endometrial cancers, 6 (32%) of the endometrial hyperplasia, and 4 (20%) of the normal endometria. These differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.90). No COX-2 expression was found in stromal tissue. Of 14 endometrial cancers, 7 (50%) expressed any COX-2, with 4 (29%) having an expression score of > or =2(+). Of 19 endometrial hyperplasias, 11 (58%) expressed any COX-2; with 6 (32%) having a score of > or =2(+). All 10 normal endometria showed only 1(+) expression. No significant differences were detected in COX-2 expression by grade or stage of cancer. Although 100% and 95% of both hyperplasia and normal endometrium samples expressed in estrogen and progesterone receptors, respectively, only 71% and 79% of endometrial cancers expressed estrogen and progesterone receptors (P = 0.01). A nonparametric trend was performed to detect a relationship, between COX-2 and estrogen receptor or progesterone receptor expression; no significant trend was found. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the immunohistochemical analysis showed a trend toward increased COX-2 expression in endometrial cancer and hyperplasia compared to normal endometria. A larger sample size is needed to confirm these results. The increased COX-2 expression in hyperplasia may signify an early step in carcinogenesis. These findings may represent an important treatment opportunity for synergism in the hormonal therapy of endometrial cancer.     

Sema3A及其受体在子宫内膜异位症中的表达及意义

目的 检测Sema 3A及其受体在子宫内膜异位症中的表达,探讨Sema 3A及其受体在子宫内膜异位症的发生和发展中的意义。方法 收集2013年1月1日至12月31日在中山大学附属第一医院妇科住院并行手术治疗的腹膜子宫内膜异位症（PEM）患者24例、卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿（OEM）患者24例和结直肠子宫内膜异位症（CREM）患者20例,采用免疫组化SP法检测异位病灶腺上皮细胞中Sema 3A、Plexin A1和NRP-1的表达,并与26例非子宫内膜异位症患者在位内膜（EuE-NEM）、22例子宫内膜异位症患者在位内膜（EuE-EM）中的表达进行比较。结果 Sema 3A在EuE-EM组腺上皮细胞中的表达比EuE-NEM组腺上皮细胞中的表达高（309.09±66.61、207.69±56.02）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）。PEM、OEM、CREM的异位病灶腺上皮细胞之间的Sema 3A、Plexin A1、NRP-1的免疫组织化学HSCORE评分差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。PEM组、OEM组、CREM组中异位病灶腺上皮细胞中的Sema 3A、Plexin A1、NRP-1的表达均比内膜异位症患者组的在位内膜和非内膜异位症患者组的在位内膜腺上皮细胞中的表达高（P值均<0.05）。结论 Sema 3A及其受体在不同类型内膜异位症病灶腺上皮细胞中的表达增高,提示其高表达可能参与了子宫内膜异位症的发生发展。     

Immunohistochemical expression of TAG-72 in normal and malignant endometrium: correlation of antigen expression with estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor levels

TAG-72 is a tumor-associated antigen that is expressed by secretory endometrium and most endometrial adenocarcinomas. We used immunohistochemical techniques to quantitate expression of TAG-72, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor in 21 normal endometria and 44 endometrial adenocarcinomas. In normal cycling endometrial glands, TAG-72 expression was related inversely to expression of receptors for estrogen and progesterone. This suggests that TAG-72 expression in normal endometrium may be hormonally regulated. Ninety-one percent of endometrial adenocarcinomas expressed immunohistochemically detectable TAG-72. The magnitude of TAG-72 expression did not correlate with other known prognostic factors in endometrial cancer such as histologic grade, depth of myometrial invasion, surgical stage, or steroid receptor status. The production of TAG-72 by most endometrial adenocarcinomas may represent nonspecific expression by cells that have dedifferentiated.     

miRNA-135a对子宫内膜异位症HOXA10基因表达的调控的研究

目的:探讨miRNA-135a对子宫内膜异位症(EMs)中HOXA10基因表达的调控作用。方法:选取2013年1月到12月在天津市中心妇产科医院因EMs和单纯卵巢囊肿行腹腔镜手术的患者各80例。留取EMs患者的宫腔内膜组织(EMs在位内膜组)和异位内膜组织(EMs异位内膜组)以及单纯卵巢囊肿患者的宫腔内正常内膜组织。分别采用转染技术、实时荧光定量PCR技术检测miRNA-135a和HOXA10 mRNA的表达。结果:miRNA-135a和HOXA10 mRNA在不同月经周期表达水平不同。增殖期和分泌中期,EMs在位和异位内膜组织中miRNA-135a表达水平显著高于正常内膜,HOXA10 mRNA表达水平显著低于正常内膜,差异均有统计学意义(P0.01);EMs在位和异位内膜组织比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。经miRNA-135a、miRNA-135a抑制剂转染后,子宫内膜间质细胞中HOXA10 mRNA表达水平显著下降和升高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论:EMs患者子宫内膜中HOXA10异常表达受miRNA-135a调控,miRNA-135a高表达抑制了HOXA10基因表达。     

子宫内膜异位症中整合素表达的研究

目的 :研究整合素α4、α5、β1亚单位及αvβ3在子宫内膜异位症中的表达。 方法 :采用免疫组化法分析子宫内膜异位症 2 7例的在位内膜和异位内膜整合素α4、α5、β1及αvβ3的表达 ,并选择同期正常育龄 13例子宫内膜进行对照。 结果 :整合素α4、α5、β1及αvβ3在正常子宫内膜以及内异症患者的在位内膜和异位内膜腺上皮均有不同程度表达 ,α5在内异症中表达显著低于正常子宫内膜 ;而αvβ3在血管内皮细胞中有极显著性的阳性表达 ,以增生期异位灶为甚。结论 :推测内异症中整合素α5的低表达和血管内皮细胞中αvβ3的高表达可能与内异症发病有关。