Laser capture microdissection and cDNA array analysis of endometrium identify CCL16 and CCL21 as epithelial-derived inflammatory mediators associated with endometriosis.
BACKGROUND
Understanding the pathophysiology of chemokine secretion in endometriosis may offer a novel area of therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to identify chemokines differentially expressed in epithelial glands in eutopic endometrium from normal women and those with endometriosis, and to establish the expression profiles of key chemokines in endometriotic lesions.


METHODS
Laser capture microdissection isolated epithelial glands from endometrial eutopic tissue from women with and without endometriosis in the mid-secretory phase of their menstrual cycles. Gene profiling of the excised glands used a human chemokine and receptor cDNA array. Selected chemokines were further examined using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
22 chemokine/receptor genes were upregulated and two downregulated in pooled endometrial epithelium of women with endometriosis compared with controls. CCL16 and CCL21 mRNA was confirmed as elevated in some women with endometriosis compared to controls on individual samples. Immunoreactive CCL16 and CCL21 were predominantly confined to glands in eutopic and ectopic endometrium: leukocytes also stained. Immunoreactive CCL16 was overall higher in glands in ectopic vs. eutopic endometrium from the same woman (P < 0.05). Staining for CCL16 and CCL21 was highly correlated in individual tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides novel candidate molecules and suggests a potential local role for CCL16 and CCL21 as mediators contributing to the inflammatory events associated with endometriosis.
Chand
Ashwini L
AL
Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. ashwini.chand@princehenrys.org
Murray
Andrew S
AS
Jones
Rebecca L
RL
Hannan
Natalie J
NJ
Salamonsen
Lois A
LA
Rombauts
Luk
L
D000328:Adult; D054421:Chemokine CCL21; D019742:Chemokines, CC / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D007834:Lasers; D042282:Microdissection; D008875:Middle Aged; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
C481939:CCL16 protein, human; C515478:CCL21 protein, human; D054421:Chemokine CCL21; D019742:Chemokines, CC; D018836:Inflammation Mediators