title: Localization of fibrillin-1 in human endometrium and decidua during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
abstract: We have examined the existence and distribution of fibrillin-1 within the endometrium and decidua to ascertain the effect of decidualization upon its synthesis, and its relationship to other extracellular matrix proteins. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were stained using monoclonal antibodies to collagen IV, elastin, fibrillin-1 and laminin, by immunocytochemistry. Fibrillin-1 was present throughout the menstrual cycle and appeared to be cell-associated. Similar staining for fibrillin-1 was detected within the Fallopian tube of ectopic pregnancy material. In first trimester, second trimester and term decidua, staining for fibrillin-1 was more intense than that during the menstrual cycle and was detected as a thick layer encapsulating decidual cells, but also in fibrillar form inter-connecting these cells. In comparison with the association of collagen IV and laminin with all basal laminae, fibrillin-1 was absent from the vascular and glandular elements of pregnancy endometrium. Elastin was absent in all tissues examined. Hence, fibrillin-1 exists within the uterus in association with basal lamina components rather than with elastin-containing fibrils, where its presence in the endometrium and decidua could be of functional significance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D003656:Decidua / Q000737:chemistry*; D004549:Elastin / Q000032:analysis; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D000071838:Fibrillin-1; D000071837:Fibrillins; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007797:Laminin / Q000032:analysis; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D054392:Adipokines
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D000071838:Fibrillin-1; D000071837:Fibrillins; D007797:Laminin; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; C000605722:FBN1 protein, human; D054392:Adipokines