beta-HCG/LH receptor (beta-HCG/LH-R) expression in eutopic endometrium and endometriotic implants: evidence for beta-HCG sensitivity of endometriosis.
BACKGROUND
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) target their receptor in gonadal and nongonadal cells to stimulate steroidogenesis and cell growth. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of HCG/LH-R in endometriosis to elucidate a possible impact of LH and HCG on this disease.


METHODS
Analysis of HCG/LH-R protein expression in 23 paired samples of ectopic and eutopic tissue of cycling women with endometriosis and in endometrial samples from 22 healthy controls was conducted via immunofluorescence. HCG and HCG/LH-R gene expression in endometriotic lesions was confirmed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
In endometriotic implants, epithelial HCG/LH-R was found in 12/23 samples. No significant differences in HCG/LH-R levels were observed when compared with glands of uterine endometrium from the same patients or healthy controls. Messenger RNA transcripts for HCG were detected in all 12 samples, whereas HCG/LH-R mRNAs were observed in 10 of the 12 endometriotic lesions investigated.


CONCLUSIONS
Although HCG/LH-R was not found to be selectively upregulated in endometriosis, the mere presence of HCG/LH-R in endometriotic tissue may suggest sensitivity of endometriosis to HCG and LH that target HCG/LH-R.
Hudelist
Gernot
G
Division of Special Gynaecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Huber
Ambros
A
Knoefler
Martin
M
Haider
Sandra
S
Kolbus
Andrea
A
Czerwenka
Klaus
K
Helmy
Samir
S
Kubista
Ernst
E
Singer
Christian F
CF
D000328:Adult; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D011974:Receptors, LH; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone