Increased expression of complement component 3 in human ectopic endometrium compared with the matched eutopic endometrium.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the gene expression of complement component 3 (C3) in human eutopic and ectopic endometrium.


METHODS
A prospective, controlled study.


METHODS
Academic hospital.


METHODS
Women with documented endometriosis.


METHODS
Eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues were collected simultaneously at laparoscopy.


METHODS
Detection of C3 messenger RNA (mRNA) by in situ hybridization and C3 protein by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.


RESULTS
Expression of C3 mRNA increased in ectopic endometrium compared with that in the matched eutopic endometrium. The quantitative analysis of C3 mRNA by grain count (mean +/- SE) showed 175.60 +/- 40.02 and 39.97 +/- 8.17 grains per micron2 in ectopic and eutopic glands, respectively, and 67.65 +/- 29.82 and 15.02 +/- 5.80 grains per micron2 in ectopic and eutopic stroma, respectively. Expression of C3 mRNA in ectopic glands was significantly higher than that in eutopic glands. The pattern of immunoreactive staining of C3 protein was consistent with that of C3 mRNA. A higher level of C3 protein in ectopic endometrium than eutopic endometrium was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of C3 mRNA and protein significantly increased in human ectopic endometrium compared with that in the matched eutopic endometrium.
Tao
X J
XJ
Vincent Memorial Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Sayegh
R A
RA
Isaacson
K B
KB
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D003176:Complement C3; D012333:RNA, Messenger