Analysis of epitopes on endometrial epithelium by scanning immunoelectron microscopy.
Scanning immunoelectron microscopy was applied to human endometrial epithelium for the first time to simultaneously determine epitope localisation and cellular architecture. The method was established using HMFG1, an antibody to a glycoform of the MUC1 mucin. This was chosen because of the potential importance of MUC1 in connection with endometrial receptivity. Biopsies of mid-secretory phase endometrium were labelled using HMFG1 and silver-enhanced, gold-conjugated secondary antibody was then visualised by back-scattered electron imaging. The method provided a highly specific localisation of the HMFG1 epitope to the ciliated and "ciliogenic" cells of the endometrial surface. In contrast, no reactivity was evident on the microvillous cells and endometrial pinopodes. The potential to integrate the study of the molecular and ultrastructural changes that occur in the endometrium by using scanning immunoelectron microscopy offers a powerful means of expanding our understanding of the adaptation of the endometrium in preparation for embryo implantation.
Horne
Andrew W
AW
Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Wolfson and Weston Centre for Family Health, Imperial College, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
White
John O
JO
Lalani
El-Nasir
el-N
Mobberley
Margaret A
MA
Margara
Raul A
RA
Trew
Geoffrey H
GH
Ryder
Timothy A
TA
D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron / Q000379:methods*; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes; D018396:Mucin-1