Differential expression of claudins in human endometrium and endometriosis.
Membrane proteins of the claudin superfamily are important components of cellular tight and adherens junctions. Although their exact function remains unclear, these proteins may play a role in tissue remodeling, a process which is associated with several diseases including endometriosis. In the present work we analyzed the expression of 13 members of the claudin family in the endometrium and peritoneum by microarray analysis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in human endometrium and peritoneal endometriotic lesions were performed for validation of the expression of claudin-1, -3, -4, -5 and -7. Diminished expression of claudin-3, -4 and -7 in ectopic endometrium was frequently observed as indicated by all three methods. In contrast to a higher expression of claudin-5 mRNA detected in bulk biopsies of ectopic endometrium, immunohistochemistry revealed no alteration of claudin-5 protein expression in glandular cells of endometriosis samples. The downregulation of various members of the claudin family may contribute to endometrial cell detachment and increase the number of cells invading pelvic organs.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany. gaetje@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Regine
R
Gaetje
Uwe
U
Holtrich
Knut
K
Engels
Stefan
S
Kissler
Achim
A
Rody
Thomas
T
Karn
Manfred
M
Kaufmann
D000328:Adult; D062445:Claudin-1; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D005810:Multigene Family; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C568108:CLDN1 protein, human; D062445:Claudin-1; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger