Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factors B and C and their receptors in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle.
BACKGROUND
Endometrial angiogenesis is important for bleeding control and fertility, and is believed to be regulated by angiogenic growth factors under the influence of ovarian steroids.


OBJECTIVE
To document the pattern of expression of the two angiogenic growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-B and VEGF-C, and of their receptors, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3, in order to investigate their possible role in the regulation of angiogenesis in normal cycling human endometrium.


METHODS
Cryosections of endometrial biopsy specimens obtained from 17 healthy women before laparoscopic sterilization were examined by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Vascular endothelial growth factor and VEGF-C and their receptors were all expressed in and around endometrial blood vessels, with no obvious menstrual cycle-dependent changes in expression except for VEGFR-2, which showed stronger expression during the early secretary phase. Stromal blood vessel density did not change significantly during the menstrual cycle.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence and pattern of expression of these angiogenic growth factors and their receptors suggest that they participate in the regulation of normal endometrial angiogenesis.
Möller
Björn
B
Department of Women and Children's Health, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
Lindblom
Bo
B
Olovsson
Matts
M
D004717:Endometrium / Q000098:blood supply*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D042561:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D042561:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor