Expression of alpha6 and beta4 integrin subunits throughout the menstrual cycle: no correlation with uterine receptivity.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the expression of alpha6 and beta4 integrin subunit levels throughout the menstrual cycle in the endometrium of healthy women and infertile women.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
An academic teaching hospital.


METHODS
Endometrium was collected from 58 women, including healthy subjects (n = 28) and patients undergoing diagnostic testing for infertility (n = 30).


METHODS
Endometrial biopsies were performed throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy women and infertile women.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining intensity of alpha6 and beta4 using the semiquantitative immunohistochemical score, compared using regression analysis and analysis of variance with Scheffé's correction.


RESULTS
There was no correlation between menstrual cycle phase and endometrial integrin subunit alpha6 or beta4 on glandular or luminal epithelium. Even women with identified luteal phase defects had indistinguishable patterns of expression for these integrin subunits during the window of implantation.


CONCLUSIONS
The integrin subunits alpha6 and beta4 are expressed uniformly throughout the menstrual cycle on glandular and luminal epithelium. These integrins may have a housekeeping role in anchoring endometrial epithelium and do not appear to be useful markers of uterine receptivity.
Murray
M J
MJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7570, USA.
Zhang
J
J
Lessey
B A
BA
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D001706:Biopsy; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism*; D039503:Integrin alpha6; D039663:Integrin beta4; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D039503:Integrin alpha6; D039663:Integrin beta4