Comparison of RCAS1 and metallothionein expression and the presence and activity of immune cells in human ovarian and abdominal wall endometriomas.
BACKGROUND
The coexistence of endometrial and immune cells during decidualization is preserved by the ability of endometrial cells to regulate the cytotoxic immune activity and their capability to be resistant to immune-mediated apoptosis. These phenomena enable the survival of endometrial ectopic cells. RCAS1 is responsible for regulation of cytotoxic activity. Metallothionein expression seems to protect endometrial cells against apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate RCAS1 and metallothionein expression in human ovarian and scar endometriomas in relation to the presence of immune cells and their activity.


METHODS
Metallothionein, RCAS1, CD25, CD69, CD56, CD16, CD68 antigen expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in ovarian and scar endometriomas tissue samples which were obtained from 33 patients. The secretory endometrium was used as a control group (15 patients).


RESULTS
The lowest metallothionein expression was revealed in ovarian endometriomas in comparison to scar endometriomas and to the control group. RCAS1 expression was at the highest level in the secretory endometrium and it was at comparable levels in ovarian and scar endometriomas. Similarly, the number of CD56-positive cells was lower in scar and ovarian endometriomas than in the secretory endometrium. The highest number of macrophages was found in ovarian endometriomas. RCAS1-positive macrophages were observed only in ovarian endometriomas. CD25 and CD69 antigen expression was higher in scar and ovarian endometriomas than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of RCAS1 and metallothionein by endometrial cells may favor the persistence of these cells in ectopic localization both in scar following cesarean section and in ovarian endometriosis.
Wicherek
Lukasz
L
Department of Gynecology and Infertility of the Jagiellonian University, 23 Kopernik Str, 31-501 Krakow, Poland. mowicher@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Dutsch-Wicherek
Magdalena
M
Galazka
Krystyna
K
Banas
Tomasz
T
Popiela
Tadeusz
T
Lazar
Agata
A
Kleinrok-Podsiadlo
Beata
B
D034861:Abdominal Wall; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000099192:CD69 Antigens; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008668:Metallothionein; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D000099192:CD69 Antigens; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule; C120762:EBAG9 protein, human