Localization of laminin, fibronectin, E-cadherin, and integrins in endometrium and endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the localization of adhesion proteins (laminin and fibronectin) and their receptors of the integrin family in endometriosis and endometrium.


METHODS
An immunohistochemical study.


METHODS
University Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Department of Cell Biology.


METHODS
Eighteen endometriosis patients undergoing laparoscopy for pain or infertility and nine control patients undergoing laparoscopy for sterilization or hysterectomy.


METHODS
The expression of adhesion glycoproteins (laminin and fibronectin), their receptors alpha 1 beta 1, alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, and alpha 6 beta 1, and E-cadherin was determined by immunohistochemistry on frozen sections.


RESULTS
The distribution of both adhesive glycoproteins, laminin and fibronectin, and their receptors was identical in endometriosis and endometrium. Fibronectin receptors (alpha 4 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1) displayed distinct expression patterns in endometrium and endometriosis. No endometrial glands showed positive staining for the alpha 5 chain, whereas this integrin subunit was detected in almost all endometriotic lesions. The integrin alpha 4 chain was present in all endometriotic glands but was absent from endometrial glands in the proliferative phase of the cycle.


CONCLUSIONS
No difference in cell adhesion molecule localization nor receptors was observed between endometriotic and endometrial samples, except for fibronectin receptors. Their expression persisted around endometriotic glands but not in endometrium. These results suggest that fibronectin receptors could play a role in the persistence of endometriotic lesions, despite menstruation in corresponding eutopic endometrium.
Béliard
A
A
Laboratory of Biology, University of Liège, Belgium.
Donnez
J
J
Nisolle
M
M
Foidart
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D015820:Cadherins; D005353:Fibronectins; D016023:Integrins; D007797:Laminin