Impaired down-regulation of E-cadherin and beta-catenin protein expression in endometrial epithelial cells in the mid-secretory endometrium of infertile patients with endometriosis.
BACKGROUND
Only a few, small, human studies on E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression in normal cycling human endometrium have been reported. It remains unclear whether expression of these molecules might be altered in the endometrium of infertile patients with endometriosis.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression in the endometrium of infertile patients with endometriosis, those with uterine fibromas, and patients with unexplained infertility.


METHODS
Expression levels of E-cadherin and beta-catenin mRNA and/or protein in the endometrium of infertile patients with endometriosis (n = 151), those with uterine fibromas (n = 41), patients with unexplained infertility (n = 9), as well as healthy fertile controls (n = 57) were measured. This study utilized laser capture microdissection, real-time RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
No significant differences in E-cadherin or beta-catenin mRNA expression in microdissected epithelial cells were observed among the different groups throughout the menstrual cycle. However, very low or no protein expression of E-cadherin, total beta-catenin, or dephosphorylated beta-catenin in luminal and glandular epithelial cells was detected in the mid-secretory endometrium of healthy fertile controls. E-cadherin, total beta-catenin, and dephosphorylated beta-catenin protein expression in the mid-secretory endometrium of infertile patients with endometriosis or unexplained infertility was significantly higher compared to that of healthy fertile controls in both luminal and glandular epithelial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that impaired down-regulation of E-cadherin and beta-catenin protein expression, along with Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway activation during the window of implantation, might be one of the potential molecular mechanisms of infertility in patients with endometriosis.
Matsuzaki
Sachiko
S
CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Polyclinique- Hôtel-Dieu, Gynécologie Obstétrique et Médecine de la Reproduction, Clermont-Ferrand, Boulevard Léon Malfreyt, 63058 Clermont-Ferrand, France. sachikoma@aol.com
Darcha
Claude
C
Maleysson
Elodie
E
Canis
Michel
M
Mage
Gérard
G
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007246:Infertility / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042282:Microdissection; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D015820:Cadherins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051176:beta Catenin