Epithelial expression of matrix metalloproteinase-26 is elevated at mid-cycle in the human endometrium.
The human endometrium is a dynamic tissue, which undergoes extensive tissue remodelling during the menstrual cycle. Due to their involvement in such processes, several well-characterized matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) have previously been studied in the endometrium. MMP-26 is a newly described matrilysin. We studied MMP-26 mRNA in 39 normal endometrial samples obtained across the menstrual cycle. Tissue distribution and cycle variation was examined using in-situ hybridization, Northern blot analyis and real time PCR. The probes for Northern blot analysis and real time PCR recognized non-overlapping sequences. MMP-26 was localized exclusively in epithelial cells of both glands and the luminal surface. Expression increased during the proliferative phase to a maximum at mid-cycle, then decreased to non-detectable levels in the late secretory and menstrual phases. Expression of MMP-26 mRNA in endometrial tissue explants in vitro required stimulation with both estradiol and progesterone. The tissue content of c-jun mRNA was assayed, since c-jun, as part of the enhancer complex AP-1, may be involved in regulation of MMP-26 gene transcription. The pattern of c-jun expression over the menstrual cycle was similar to that of MMP-26. Epithelial expression in the peri- and post-ovulatory stages of the menstrual cycle suggests the involvement of MMP-26 in reproductive processes.
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
R
R
Pilka
C
C
Whatling
H
H
Domanski
S
S
Hansson
P
P
Eriksson
B
B
Casslén
D000199:Actins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D004717:Endometrium / Q000201:enzymology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D053505:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000378:metabolism
D000199:Actins; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; C410599:MMP26 protein, human; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D053505:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted