Endothelin receptor expression in human decidua |
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Authors: | Kohnen G; Campbell S; Irvine GA; Church HJ; MacLachlan F; Titterington M; Cameron IT |
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Institution: | Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK. |
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Abstract: | The endothelins are signalling peptides that act via two receptors, ET(A)
and ET(B). In the human endometrium, endothelin receptors have been
demonstrated in glands and stroma and have been shown to vary during the
course of the menstrual cycle. The present study was undertaken to
determine whether or not expression of endothelin receptors changes during
pregnancy or after administration of exogenous progestagens. The expression
of the receptors was correlated with the appearance of basement membrane
components during decidualization of the endometrial stroma. Decidual
specimens (n = 15) were obtained during the first trimester of pregnancy
and 10 at term. Sixteen pairs of endometrial biopsies were obtained from
women with menorrhagia before and after exposure to exogenous progestagens.
A total of 15 hysterectomy specimens were used as controls for the
expression of stromal basement membrane proteins in the absence of
decidualization. Autoradiography was carried out with selective ligands for
ET(A) (125I]-PD 151242) and ET(B) (125I]-BQ3020). The distribution of
ligand binding was then compared with the distribution of laminin alpha2
light chain and collagen IV. ET(A), ET(B), laminin alpha2 light chain, and
collagen IV were expressed in stromal decidual cells in the first trimester
of pregnancy. ET(B) was also found on endometrial glandular epithelium.
Quantitative macro-autoradiography and multiple regression analysis
demonstrated a highly significant positive correlation (P < 0.001)
between expression of ET(B) and laminin alpha2 light chain. In the third
trimester qualitative examination suggested a reduction of ET(A) in the
stroma. Progestagen-induced decidua exhibited a similar pattern to that
found in first trimester decidua. This study has demonstrated up-regulation
of ET(B) during the progesterone- dependent process of decidualization and
suggests a paracrine or autocrine role for endothelins in the decidua.
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