Immunohistological distribution of the secretory endometrial protein, 'pregnancy-associated endometrial {alpha}2-globulin', a glycosylated {beta}-lactoglobulin homologue, in the human fetus and adult employing monoclonal antibodies |
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| Authors: | Waites, G.T. Bell, S.C. Walker, R.A. Wood, P.L. |
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| Affiliation: | 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Leicester Clinical Sciences Building, PO Box 65, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK 2Department of Pathology, University of Leicester Clinical Sciences Building, PO Box 65, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK 3Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, University of Leicester Clinical Sciences Building, PO Box 65, Leicester LE2 7LX, UK |
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| Abstract: | We have previously demonstrated that pregnancy-associated endometrial 2-globulin (2-PEG), the human glycosylated ( -lactoglobulin homologue(HG-BLG), is quantitatively the major secretory soluble proteinproduct of the secretory endometrium during the latter halfof the menstrual cycle and decidua spongiosa of the gestationalendometrium during early pregnancy, and is principally localizedto the glandular epithelium. In the present study employingmonoclonal antibodies in immunohistological techniques, thedistribution and localization has been examined in normal andpathological tissues of the adult and first-trimester fetus.No significant staining for 2-PEG was detected in any non-reproduction-associatedtissue in the normal adult nor any tissue in the fetus. In theadult, most intense staining was associated with the endometrialglandular epithelium in the uterus or in ectopic sites in patientswith endometriosis. During the menstrual cycle and pregnancy,appearance of 2-PEG in endometriosis was strongly linked withits appearance in uterine endometrial tissue, suggesting thatendometriotic tissue exhibited competence to respond to thesame hormonal milieu required to induce synthesis in the uterineendometrium. Localization to the mucosal epithelium of the Fallopiantube was consistent with synthesis of 2-PEG, albeit at low levels,and staining at this site reflected fluctuations of stainingwithin the uterus. Of the pathological specimens examined, stainingwas only detected in a proportion of ovarian carcinomas. Nostaining was detected in the mammary gland, a site of -lactoglobulinsynthesis, whether obtained during pregnancy or lactation. Theseobservations support the proposal that during the menstrualcycle and pregnancy, the endometrial glandular epithelium representsthe major source of the glycosylated -lactoglobulin homologueand serum measurements may be employed to assess its functionalpresence. Mechanisms of regulation of its production that wouldaccount for the histological observations are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | endometrium/decidua/fetus/monoclonal antibodies |
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