title: Expression of the proto-oncoprotein breast cancer nuclear receptor auxiliary factor (Brx) is altered in eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha), estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta), and breast cancer nuclear receptor auxiliary factor (Brx) in eutopic endometrium of normal women and women with endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care and research center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine women with endometriosis and 35 healthy ovulatory volunteers of similar ages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endometrial biopsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of immunohistochemical staining intensity and localization of ERalpha, ERbeta, and Brx proteins in eutopic endometrium during the menstrual cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of ERalpha and ERbeta was highest in the proliferative phase and was similar in both groups. Brx expression differed between healthy volunteers and those with endometriosis. During the proliferative phase, immunostaining intensity of Brx was greater in both the glandular and the stromal compartments of biopsies from patients with endometriosis compared to healthy volunteers; nuclear stromal Brx staining was more common in patients with endometriosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The spatiotemporal expression of Brx was altered in eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis. These findings suggest a fundamental alteration in the endometrium of women who have endometriosis. The role of Brx in ectopic implantation of endometrium deserves further study.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Biology and Medicine Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Rhonda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hearns-Stokes
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mayers
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zahn
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cruess
authors.forename: Jan-Ake
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Segars
authors.forename: Lynnette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nieman
mesh_terms: D054758:A Kinase Anchor Proteins; D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D054758:A Kinase Anchor Proteins; C085467:AKAP13 protein, human; D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins