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。

Expression of TWEAK on the Ectopic and Eutopic Endometrium from Women with Endometriosis

Objective:To investigate the relationship between TWEAK and endometriosis. Methods:TWEAK mRNA and protein concentrations in paired samples of eutopic endometrial tissue from women with and without endometriosis, and also of ectopic endometrial tissue from women with endometriosis were measured by Real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, respectively. Results:Compared with controls endometrium from women without endometriosis and eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis, TWEAK expressions were reduced on the ectopic endometrium (P<0.05). Moreover, the expressions of TWEAK mRNA on eutopic endometrium and control endometrium in proliferative phase were much lower than those in secretory phase. TWEAK protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of glandular cells and stromal cells of endometrium. Conclusion:TWEAK is expressed on the endometrium of reproductive women, and its concentration rises in secretory phase, compared with that in proliferative phase. Patients with endometriosis had a lower expression of TWEAK on ectopic endometrium, which may lead to a decreased level of apoptosis on endometrial cells. Consequently, endometrial cells were able to survive outside uterus helping the development of endometriosis.