Matrix metalloproteinase messenger RNA expression in human endometriosis grafts cultured on a chicken chorioallantoic membrane.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 2 (MMP-1/MMP-2) in human endometrial explants in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane model (CAM) of endometriosis.


METHODS
Experimental prospective study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Endometrium samples obtained from ovulating women, both healthy and patients with endometriosis, who were undergoing curettage and diagnostic laparoscopy for benign gynecologic conditions.


METHODS
Endometrial grafts were transplanted to the CAM and cultured for 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours.


METHODS
Expression of MMP-1 and MMP-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) was quantified by competitive reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and normalized to expression of the housekeeping gene human glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA.


RESULTS
All grafts expressed MMP-1 and MMP-2 mRNA. The endometrium of healthy women and patients with endometriosis showed a statistically significant increase of MMP-1 mRNA expression 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after transfer to the CAM. An increase of MMP-2 mRNA expression was only detected after 96 hours of CAM culture in patients with and without endometriosis. No statistically significant difference regarding the MMP-1 and MMP-2 mRNA expression could be shown in healthy women or endometriosis patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that MMP-1 and MMP-2 are major factors involved in the invasion of endometrium into the peritoneum and in vascularization of endometriosis. Whether MMPs are suitable targets for treatment of endometriosis has to be examined in further studies.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. ingolf.juhasz-boess@klinik.uni-regensburg.de <ingolf.juhasz-boess@klinik.uni-regensburg.de>
Ingolf
I
Juhasz-Böss
Antje
A
Hofele
Claus
C
Lattrich
Stefan
S
Buchholz
Olaf
O
Ortmann
Eduard
E
Malik
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002642:Chick Embryo; D049033:Chorioallantoic Membrane / Q000201:enzymology*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D019737:Transplants
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1