title: Evidence of prokineticin dysregulation in fallopian tube from women with ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate expression and regulation of prokineticins (PROKs) and their receptors (PROKRs) in fallopian tube (FT) from women who are not pregnant and women with ectopic pregnancy (EP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Tissue analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Large United Kingdom teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecological conditions (n = 15) and surgery for EP (n = 16).
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to determine FT PROK/PROKR messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and protein localization, respectively. The PROK/PROKR levels were measured in tubal explant cultures stimulated with estrogen (E) and progestogen.
  
  
  METHODS
  Differential expression of PROK and PROKR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The FT PROK2 and PROKR1 mRNA levels were up-regulated during the P-dominant midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Increased PROKR1 expression was observed in tubal explant cultures treated with medroxy-progesterone acetate (MPA). The PROK and PROKR proteins were localized to the epithelium and smooth muscle layers of the FT. The PROKR1 and PROKR2 mRNA levels were lower in FT from women with EP compared with nonpregnant FT from the midluteal phase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest a potential role for PROKs in FT function. The PROKs are known to affect smooth muscle contraction in the gut. Dysregulated PROK expression in FT could affect FT smooth muscle contractility and embryo-tubal transport, providing a potential cause for EP.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Reproductive Biology, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Julie L V
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Fiona C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Denison
authors.forename: Jemma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Kimberley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Durno
authors.forename: Alistair R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Entrican
authors.forename: Hilary O D
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Critchley
authors.forename: Henry N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Jabbour
authors.forename: Andrew W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Horne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D042662:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; C467610:PROK1 protein, human; C423608:PROK2 protein, human; C470837:PROKR1 protein, human; C470838:PROKR2 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; D042662:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate