Abstract
This study investigates peptide components of L-selectin ligand (LSL) and their gene expressions in human endometrium during the natural menstrual cycle. We recruited 41 endometrial samples from reproductive-aged women with leiomyoma and undergoing hysterectomy and 11 endometrial samples from menopausal women as controls. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong MECA-79 expression from the early through the mid-secretory phase and low expression in menopausal endometrium. Five peptide components of LSL were detected in reproductive and menopausal endometrium by one-step quantitative RT-PCR: podocalyxin, endomucin, nepmucin, GlyCAM-1, and CD34. Endomucin differed significantly between the proliferative and early-secretory phases. CHST2 and CHST4 genes (which are involved in the generation of LSL epitopes) were expressed without significant differences among phases. The gene expression of progesterone receptor decreased from the proliferative to the late-secretory phase, and the difference was significant. However, estrogen receptor α expression showed stability among phases. The significant expression of endomucin between the proliferative and early-secretory phases might play a vital role in endometrial receptivity. Further studies are needed to investigate the factors that regulate the expression of endomucin and other LSL peptide components in different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Highlights
The endometrium is a highly differential tissue that develops with the changes of the menstrual cycle and supports the dynamic events required to establish and maintain pregnancy
The interactions between L-selectins and their ligands in the endometrium may act as a bridge for the initial attachment during implantation[4], which supports the concept that the expression of L-selectin ligands(LSLs) might reflect the receptivity of the endometrium
L-selectin ligands in high endothelial venules (HEVs) of lymph nodes are glycoproteins that serve as addressin for homing and support of lymphocyte extravasation[5]
Summary
The endometrium is a highly differential tissue that develops with the changes of the menstrual cycle and supports the dynamic events required to establish and maintain pregnancy. In humans, increasing evidence suggests that the preparation of the endometrium for embryo implantation, dependent on adequate hormonal stimulation, requires interaction between the blastocyst and the endometrium[1]. Fundamental questions about the types of components and gene expression patterns at different phases of the natural cycle are unresolved. It is unclear whether the types of LSL peptide components in human endometrium are the same as that in the HEVs of mouse lymph nodes. The gene expression patterns of LSL peptide components in the different phases of the natural menstrual cycle have been unclear. We conduct this study to investigate the gene expression patterns of LSL peptide components in human endometrium at different phases of the natural menstrual cycle
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