Vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in eutopic and ectopic endometrium.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate changes in expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in human endometrial explants in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane model of endometriosis.


METHODS
Experimental prospective study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Endometrial biopsy samples were obtained from healthy, ovulating women undergoing elective surgery.


METHODS
Endometrial fragments were placed on the chicken chorioallantoic membrane and removed for analysis after 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours.


METHODS
Expression of different VEGF mRNA splice variants was tested. Expression of VEGF(165) mRNA was assessed by using competitive polymerase chain reaction and normalized to expression of the housekeeping gene human glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA.


RESULTS
After 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours of incubation, all grafts expressed VEGF(121), VEGF(145), VEGF(165), and VEGF(189) mRNA. Expression of VEGF(165) mRNA increased up to 10-fold at 24 to 72 hours compared with precultivation values.


CONCLUSIONS
Levels of VEGF(165) mRNA in endometrial grafts increase after implantation on chicken chorioallantoic membrane. Hypoxic induction of VEGF mRNA expression in endometrial cell cultures has been reported previously. Induction of VEGF expression might indicate relative hypoxia of the specimen due to insufficient vascularization. Expression of VEGF may assist in vascularization of endometrial explants after retrograde menstruation.
Kressin
P
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany. kressin@medinf.mu-luebeck.de
Wolber
E M
EM
Wodrich
H
H
Meyhöfer-Malik
A
A
Buchweitz
O
O
Diedrich
K
K
Malik
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D002642:Chick Embryo; D046508:Culture Techniques; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors