title: Characterization of WNT7A expression in human endometrium and endometriotic lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the expression of WNT7A in human eutopic and ectopic endometrium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study using real-time polymerase chain reaction, laser microdissection, in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with and without endometriosis undergoing surgery for benign indications.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relative expression values compared with housekeeping genes using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Detection of positive cells by immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In endometriosis, statistically significant higher WNT7A mRNA expression was observed compared with eutopic endometrium. Expression of WNT7A was found in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells as well as stroma cells in endometrium and endometriosis by immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction of laser microdissected tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study suggest that WNT7A plays a role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany. gaetje@em.uni-frankfurt.de
authors.forename: Regine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaetje
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Holtrich
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karn
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cikrit
authors.forename: Knut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Engels
authors.forename: Achim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rody
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D042282:Microdissection / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C092778:WNT7A protein, human; D051153:Wnt Proteins