Expression of alpha4beta1 and alphavbeta3 integrins in the endometrium of women using the T200 copper intrauterine device.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of alpha4 and beta3 integrin subunit levels in the endometrium of healthy women and copper intrauterine device (IUD) T200 users.


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
An academic teaching hospital and a primary care clinic.


METHODS
Thirteen copper IUD users and 13 normal fertile women.


METHODS
Timed endometrial biopsies during the mid-secretory phase (days 20 to 24).


METHODS
Histologic dating of endometrium and immunohistochemical staining intensity of alpha4 and beta3, using the semiquantitative immunohistochemical score (HSCORE).


RESULTS
All endometrial biopsies consistent with menstrual dates were examined for integrin expression (beta3 and alpha4). No difference in alpha4 integrin expression was found between IUD users and controls in both luminal and glandular epithelium. In fertile controls, alphavbeta3 staining was present in 100% and 38.4% of glandular and luminal epithelium, respectively. In contrast, only 61.5% of the IUD users had any alphavbeta3 staining in the glandular epithelium and only 53.9% in the luminal epithelium. The intensity of immunoreactivity between the two groups (mean HSCORE) did not differ significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Proportionately, significantly fewer women using copper IUD had positive alphavbeta3 immunoreactivity in the glandular epithelium of mid-secretory endometrium.
Savaris
R
R
Fundação Faculdade Federal Ciências Médicas, Porto Alegre, Brazil. savaris@orion.ufrgs.br
Zettler
C G
CG
Ferrari
A N
AN
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003300:Copper; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000378:metabolism*; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1; D016023:Integrins; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; D019030:Receptors, Vitronectin; D003300:Copper