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Integrin Adhesion Molecules in the Endometrial Glandular Epithelium in Patients with Endometriosis or Adenomyosis
Author(s) -
Ota Hirotaka,
Tanaka Toshinobu
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0756.1997.tb00877.x
Subject(s) - adenomyosis , endometriosis , medicine , immunohistochemistry , endometrium , cadherin , integrin , cell adhesion molecule , epithelium , menstrual cycle , pathology , gynecology , biology , receptor , cell , immunology , genetics , hormone
Objective : To assess the role of β1 ‐integrin and E‐cadherin molecules in the eutopic glandular epithelium in patients with endometriosis or adenomyosis. Study Design : Twenty‐four patients with endometriosis, and 22 patients with adenomyosis diagnosed histologically were selected as subjects. The controls consisted of 29 fertile women. Eutopic endometria were obtained by curettage or immediately after the operation. The samples were immunohistochemically examined for the expression of very late activation antigen‐2 (VLA‐2), VLA‐3, VLA‐4, VLA‐5, VLA‐6, and E‐cadherin. Results : The expression of each VLA molecule and E‐cadherin except VLA‐4, VLA‐5, and VLA‐6 was significantly increased throughout the menstrual cycle in endometria in both the endometriosis and adenomyosis groups. In contrast, the expression of VLA‐4 in the adenomyosis group was significantly reduced in the secretory phase. Conclusion : Altered expression of β1‐integrins and E‐cadherin was observed throughout the menstrual cycle in patients with endometriosis and adenomyosis, suggesting the defective microenvironment of the endometrium.