Prokineticin 1 mRNA expression in the endometrium of healthy women and in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine prokineticin 1 (PROK1) mRNA expression in eutopic endometrial glands obtained from patients with or without endometriosis, to investigate the presence of additional endometrial abnormalities in women with endometriosis.


METHODS
Prospective laboratory study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Twelve control women and 12 patients affected by endometriosis in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Endometrial specimens were obtained from women affected (cases) or not (control group) by endometriosis. Endometrial glands were freshly isolated from endometrial biopsies.


METHODS
PROK1 mRNA expression levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis.


RESULTS
PROK1 mRNA was detectable in 4 of 12 (33%) samples obtained from women affected by endometriosis, whereas 10 of 12 (83%) samples obtained from normal women were positive for PROK1 detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, detectable PROK1 mRNA levels were 10 times lower in samples obtained from women with endometriosis than in samples obtained from control women.


CONCLUSIONS
PROK1 is a newly discovered angiogenic factor implicated in the vascular function of peri-implantation endometrium and early pregnancy. An altered expression of PROK1 could be one of the several biochemical abnormalities characterizing eutopic endometrium in endometriosis.
Tiberi
Federica
F
Istituto Scientifico Internazionale (ISI) Paolo VI, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), 00168 Rome, Italy. fm1810@inwind.it
Tropea
Anna
A
Apa
Rosanna
R
Romani
Federica
F
Lanzone
Antonio
A
Marana
Riccardo
R
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D042662:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042662:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived