Immunization of mice against a synthetic N-terminal extracellular domain gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor peptide: evidence for a direct uterine effect.
OBJECTIVE
Immature male and female mice were immunized with a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 5-17 (ASLEQDPNHCSAI) of the mouse hypophyseal gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor.


METHODS
Effect of immunization (postpuberal) was restricted to the uterus. Pituitary-gonadal functions were not altered.


RESULTS
The endometrial lining of immunized females was thin and lacked glandular development. These observations were corroborated in actively immunized and passively immunized adult females.


CONCLUSIONS
Apparently endometrial cells express a unique surface antigen, though reactive with antipeptide antibodies, that differs from the prototype pituitary GnRH receptor. Antibodies that selectively inhibit endometrial maturation might be used to treat proliferative diseases of the uterus.
Asirvatham
A L
AL
Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071.
Johnson
G A
GA
Belden
E L
EL
Van Kirk
E A
EA
Moss
G E
GE
Murdoch
W J
WJ
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D011966:Receptors, LHRH / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D014611:Vaccination
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011966:Receptors, LHRH