title: Expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and its mRNA in the endometrial mucosa during the menstrual cycle.
abstract: Endometrial biopsies, collected at various phases of the menstrual cycle, were examined for the presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by histochemistry, and TNF-alpha mRNA by in situ hybridization and Northern blotting. During the proliferative phase, TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha mRNA were not detected or were at low levels. During the secretory phase, the TNF-alpha mRNA level was increased and observed in the wall of coiled arteries. TNF-alpha was detected both in the wall of the coiled arteries and, in highest concentration, within the epithelial cells. In regard to the capacity of TNF-alpha to induce a hemorrhagic necrosis in various tissues, this study suggests that an overproduction of TNF-alpha within the small arteries of the endometrial mucosa might be responsible for menstruation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, CMU, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Philippeaux
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Piguet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015342:DNA Probes; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha