title: An immunohistochemical study of beta1 integrin molecules (VLA-4, VLA-5, VLA-6) in all endometrial compartments of fertile and infertile women in Ahwaz-Iran.
abstract: In some cases of infertility, implantation failure is due to a lack of expression of specific critical participating proteins such as cell adhesion molecules. The expression of beta 1 (beta1) integrin molecules within endometrial tissue has been proposed as a marker of uterine receptivity during the implantation window. Present study was conducted to assess uterine receptivity in women with unexplained infertility using beta1 integrin molecules within endometrial tissue in comparison with fertile women. This retrospective study was performed using a semiquantitative analysis on the immunohistochemical staining of beta1 integrins (VLA-4, VLA-5, VLA-6) in the mid-secretory phase of endometrium. Specimens were obtained from 30 fertile women and 28 infertile patients with a history of unexplained infertility. Chi-Square test was used to compare the expression and defect of beta1 integrin molecules between two groups. The results showed beta1 integrin molecules were present in fertile and infertile endometrial uterine tissues with different reactivity in different compartments. VLA-5 and VLA-6 expression on endometrial compartments showed an unrelated pattern of staining in either fertile or infertile women. The majority of glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells expressed VLA-4 integrin molecules in fertile endometrium. However, the reactivity with VLA-4 reduced significantly in both glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells in infertile women (p = 0.001). In conclusion differences may explain causes of unexplained infertility and suggests that VLA-4 integrin molecule may contribute in uterine endometrial receptivity at the time of the implantation window which requires more investigations in benign gynecologic diseases.
authors: Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Hemoglobinopathy and Thalassemia Research Center of Ahvaz Shafa Hospital, Ahvaz Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors: M Ghafourian
authors: MG
authors: Boroujerdnia
authors: F Ghalambor
authors: FG
authors: Dezfuly
authors: N Emad
authors: NE
authors: Mosthophy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism*; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D039081:Integrin alpha5beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D039121:Integrin alpha6beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1; D039081:Integrin alpha5beta1; D039121:Integrin alpha6beta1