Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression in human corpus luteum.
Invasion of the corpus luteum by macrophages is a characteristic of luteal regression. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), a chemokine that recruits macrophages, is expressed in the rat corpus luteum where it increases in amount during luteolysis. In this study we examined the temporal and spatial expression of MCP-1 and changes in macrophage concentration in the human corpus luteum. Corpora lutea (n = 39) were grouped according to menstrual cycle phase and were examined by immunohistochemistry for MCP-1 and macrophages, and by Northern blot for MCP-1 mRNA. We found increasing amounts of macrophages with progressing luteolysis (P < 0.001). Staining for MCP-1 was stronger in the regressing corpora lutea compared with the staining in corpora lutea of early luteal phase (P < 0.05). MCP-1 was more prominent in blood vessel walls surrounding the corpus luteum than in vessels located far from it. The mean MCP-1 mRNA expression in regressing corpora lutea was higher than that observed in corpora lutea of the early and mid-luteal phase (P = 0.003). In conclusion, we found that MCP-1 expression and the number of macrophages increase with regression of the corpus luteum. MCP-1 is mostly expressed in blood vessel walls surrounding the corpus luteum and may play a role in the recruitment of macrophages to the corpus luteum during its regression.
Senturk
L M
LM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8063, USA.
Seli
E
E
Gutierrez
L S
LS
Mor
G
G
Zeyneloglu
H B
HB
Arici
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002452:Cell Count; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D003341:Luteolysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D015342:DNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger