Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors in the endometrium of septate uterus.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (KDR, Flt-1, and sflt) in the different endometrial locations of septate uterus and normal uterus.


METHODS
Prospective, observational study.


METHODS
University teaching hospital.


METHODS
Twelve women with complete septate uterus undergoing hysteroscopic metroplasty and 12 women with normal uterus.


METHODS
Endometrial tissue samples were obtained from the endometrium covering the septum and the endometrium lining the lateral wall of the uterus. Moreover, endometrial samples were obtained from patients with normal uterus.


METHODS
Differences in the mRNA expression of VEGF receptors between the endometrial samples of septate and normal uterus.


RESULTS
The mRNA expression of VEGF receptors, both KDR and Flt-1, was significantly lower in the endometrium lining the septum as compared with the endometrium covering the lateral wall of septate and normal uterus. Conversely, no differences were observed in mRNA expression in the soluble receptor sflt between the different endometrial samples studied.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that a local defect of both VEGF transmembranous receptors (KDR and Flt-1) in the endometrium covering the septal area may be responsible for the clinical comportment of this müllerian anomaly.
Raga
Francisco
F
Departamento de Pediatria, Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: raga_fra@gva.es.
Casañ
Eva Maria
EM
Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, Spain.
Bonilla-Musoles
Fernando
F
Departamento de Pediatria, Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, Spain.
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; C501162:FLT1 protein, human; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2