Attenuated sex steroid receptor expression in fallopian tube of women with ectopic pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Sex steroid hormone receptor (SHR) dynamics are well-documented in human endometrium but have not been comprehensively studied in Fallopian tube (FT).


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to compare expression patterns and hormonal regulation of SHR in FT with that described in endometrium and to determine whether SHR expression is altered in FT of women with ectopic pregnancy (EP).


METHODS
Tissue was analyzed and cultured.


METHODS
Women undergoing surgery for benign gynecological conditions (n = 14) and EP (n = 6) participated in the study.


METHODS
Quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to determine SHR mRNA expression and protein localization, respectively. SHR levels were measured in tubal explant cultures stimulated with estrogen and progestogen.


RESULTS
ERalpha and ERbeta mRNAs were constitutively expressed in FT during the menstrual cycle. PR-AB and PR-B mRNAs were decreased in midluteal phase compared to follicular phase. ERalpha, PR-AB, and PR-B mRNAs were down-regulated in human FT in vitro by treatment with progestogen. ERalpha, ERbeta1, ERbeta2, PR, and AR proteins localized to cell nuclei of epithelium, stroma, and smooth muscle of nonpregnant FT. In FT from women with EP, PR-B mRNA was decreased when compared to midluteal FT, and ERalpha protein was not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
SHR expression in FT is different from that observed in endometrium recovered at similar stages of the menstrual cycle, and expression in FT from women with EP is also altered compared with normal FT. These data are an important benchmark for furthering the understanding of normal human FT physiology, changes in expression of SHR in FT in response to progesterone, and disorders of FT function, such as EP.
Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom.
Andrew W
AW
Horne
Anne E
AE
King
Edward
E
Shaw
Sarah E
SE
McDonald
Alistair R W
AR
Williams
Philippa T
PT
Saunders
Hilary O D
HO
Critchley
D000328:Adult; D017931:DNA Primers; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
D017931:DNA Primers; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone