Neutrophils infiltrating the endometrium express vascular endothelial growth factor: potential role in endometrial angiogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
To identify leukocytes within the human endometrium expressing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Healthy volunteers in an academic research environment.


METHODS
Twenty-one normal cycling women without abnormal menstrual bleeding or infertility.


METHODS
Endometrial tissue collection by Pipelle de Cornier aspiration.


METHODS
Histologic, immunohistochemical (CD3, CD34, CD56, CD68, neutrophil elastase, estrogen and P receptors, VEGF), and simultaneous double immunoenzymatic labeling analysis of VEGF-positive cells within the human endometrium.


RESULTS
Ten endometrial samples were obtained in the proliferative (cycle days 5-10) and 11 samples in the secretory phase (cycle days 15-26). Immunohistochemical analyses showed the expected distribution of the different leukocyte cell types. Besides epithelial and stromal endometrial cells, the predominant cells that stained for VEGF were neutrophil granulocytes. Neutrophils were more abundant in the secretory phase but they expressed neither estrogen-a nor P receptors.


CONCLUSIONS
Neutrophil granulocytes infiltrating the human endometrium express VEGF and regulate cyclical endometrial vascular proliferation. Ovarian steroids indirectly influence neutrophil migration.
Mueller
M D
MD
Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Lebovic
D I
DI
Garrett
E
E
Taylor
R N
RN
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000032:analysis; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D009504:Neutrophils; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule