Expression of intercellular adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 in human endometrium: regulation by interferon-gamma.
The purpose of this study was to localize intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and ICAM-2 in human endometrium and myometrium throughout the menstrual cycle, and to determine whether the expression of these molecules is regulated by interferon (IFN)-gamma. ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 distribution was examined in endometrial biopsies by immunocytochemistry, and Northern blotting was used to quantify ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 mRNA expression in isolated endometrial glands. Stromal fibroblast cultures were exposed to IFN-gamma and the effect on expression of ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 was determined by immunocytochemistry and Northern blotting. ICAM-1 was localized in vivo to the apical surface of the glandular epithelium, the vascular endothelium and endometrial stromal cells throughout the menstrual cycle. Stromal expression of ICAM-1 was up-regulated in menstrual specimens. Northern blotting confirmed the presence of ICAM-1 mRNA in isolated endometrial glands. The expression of ICAM-1 antigen and message was increased in stromal cell culture after incubation with IFN-gamma in a time-dependent manner, suggesting that this cytokine stimulates the expression of ICAM-1 in the endometrial stroma. ICAM-2 antigen expression was restricted to the vascular endothelium. ICAM-2 mRNA was absent in endometrial glands. The widespread distribution of ICAM-1 in human endometrium suggests that this molecule is involved in the process of menstruation, the functioning of glands, blood vessels and stroma, and in regulating leukocyte trafficking into the tissue. ICAM-2 is restricted to the vascular endothelium where it might modulate leukocyte invasion of the stroma and myometrial connective tissue.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Glasgow, UK.
A J
AJ
Thomson
M R
MR
Greer
A
A
Young
F
F
Boswell
J F
JF
Telfer
I T
IT
Cameron
J E
JE
Norman
S
S
Campbell
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001706:Biopsy; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C065289:ICAM2 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007371:Interferon-gamma