title: Increased cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) expression in the human hydrosalpinx.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hydrosalpinx (HSP), characterized by abnormal fluid accumulation in the Fallopian tube, is one of the main causes of infertility in women; however, the mechanism underlying the formation of hydrosalpinx fluid (HF) remains elusive. The present study investigated the possible involvement of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a cAMP-dependent chloride channel, in the pathogenesis of hydrosalpinx.
  
  
  METHODS
  Masson's trichrome staining was used to characterize epithelial transformation in human HSP; RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used for CFTR expression and localization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Masson's trichrome staining showed areas of epithelial transformation, focally attenuated and pseudostratified. Immunostaining showed enhanced CFTR immunoreactivity in the focally attenuated and pseudostratified areas of HSP epithelium. RT-PCR revealed that CFTR expression in HSP was significantly greater than that in normal Fallopian tubes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that HSP epithelium undergoes epithelial transformation with elevated CFTR expression, which may lead to increased transepithelial electrolyte and fluid secretion resulting in HF formation. The present findings may lead to the development of new treatment strategies for infertile patients with HSP.
authors.affiliation: Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin.
authors.forename: Louis Chukwuemeka
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Ajonuma
authors.forename: Ernest Hung Yu
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Pak Ham
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Cathy Yui
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Lai Ling
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: Annie Nga Yin
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brito-Jones
authors.forename: Ingrid Hung
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Lok
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: J Haines
authors.forename: Hsiao Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D012016:Reference Values; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: C505032:CFTR protein, human; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator