Expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and its receptors in the human fallopian tube and endometrium after treatment with mifepristone.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of mifepristone on heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) and its receptors HER1 and HER4 in the fallopian tube and in the endometrium.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study.


METHODS
Hospital-based unit for obstetrics and gynecology and research laboratories.


METHODS
Healthy women divided into two groups: controls and patients treated with a single dose of 200 mg mifepristone on day LH+2.


METHODS
Endometrial biopsies from 30 women were obtained during one control cycle or one treatment cycle. Fallopian tubes from 14 women were collected during laparoscopic sterilizations.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
The staining intensity of HB-EGF was not affected by mifepristone treatment. Treatment with mifepristone increased the immunostaining on HER1 in the epithelium and the stroma of the endometrium, which was not seen in the fallopian tube. The immunostaining of HER4 decreased in the stroma of the fallopian tube, while an increase was seen in the epithelial cells of the endometrium.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with mifepristone has a limited effect on HB-EGF and its receptors in the fallopian tube, while the increase in HER1 and HER4 in the endometrium probably reflects defective endometrial maturation.
Sun
Xiao Xi
XX
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Gemzell-Danielsson
Kristina
K
Li
Hong Zhen
HZ
Stâbi
Berit
B
Stavreus-Evers
Anneli
A
D000328:Adult; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D066247:Receptor, ErbB-4; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive
D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; C587883:HBEGF protein, human; D066257:Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015735:Mifepristone; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; C587689:ERBB4 protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D066247:Receptor, ErbB-4