"Spot"-ting differences between the ectopic and eutopic endometrium of endometriosis patients.
OBJECTIVE
To examine proteins aberrantly expressed in the ectopic endometrium compared with eutopic endometrium from the same patient.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
Research institute and an obstetrics and gynecology clinic (National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health and Sanjeevani Diagnostic Center and Maternity Home, India).


METHODS
Twenty participants with (n=11) and without (n=9) endometriosis.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Protein identification by two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis and mass spectrometry as well as validation of the identified proteins by studying protein expression via Western blot and protein localization via immunohistochemical analysis.


RESULTS
Computer-assisted image analysis detected the presence of 53 protein spots in ectopic 2D gels that were conspicuous by their absence in the 2D maps of eutopic and control endometrium, i.e., these spots were detected only in ectopic gels. Eleven spots were identified by mass spectrometry. The expression of four of these proteins-haptoglobin, Rho-GDIα, SM-22α, and Rab37-have been validated by immunohistochemical and Western blotting analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study assumes significance, as there are no reports on the comparison of the global protein profiles of paired eutopic and ectopic endometrium. Furthermore, the study demonstrates a definitive difference in the protein repertoire of the ectopic endometrium compared with its uterine counterpart in the same patient. Such studies are relevant in deciphering the complex biology of the endometriotic lesion.
Chehna-Patel
Nina
N
Department of Gamete Immunobiology, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research, Mumbai, India.
Sachdeva
Geetanjali
G
Gajbhiye
Rahul
R
Warty
Neeta
N
Khole
Vrinda
V
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002828:Choristoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020543:Proteome / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D020543:Proteome