MUC1 as a discriminator between endometrium from fertile and infertile patients with PCOS and endometriosis.
BACKGROUND
Endometrium of fertile women expresses progesterone-regulated Mucin 1 (MUC1) that carries selectin ligands recognized by the human blastocyst. Altered MUC1 expression at the time of implantation may contribute to endometrial infertility.


OBJECTIVE
The aim was to assess the expression of MUC1 in the endometrium from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and fertile women in comparison with other hormone-regulated proteins [hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) 1, HSD2, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)].


METHODS
Endometrial samples were obtained from 33 fertile patients, 26 ovulatory PCOS patients, 15 anovulatory PCOS patients, and 25 endometriosis patients.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry assessed the expression of MUC1 subunits ER, PR, HSD1, and HSD2 in endometrial epithelium. Endometrial MUC1 expression was quantified by immunoblots and RT-PCR. HSD1 and HSD2 expression was assayed by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
MUC1ND expression was significantly higher in ovulatory PCOS than in fertile and anovulatory PCOS patients, even after progesterone stimulation. MUC1ND and -CD expression was lower in anovulatory PCOS than in fertile patients. Only MUC1CD expression was lower in endometriosis patients. Endometrial ER expression was significantly higher in PCOS and endometriosis patients, whereas PR expression was significantly higher in PCOS than in fertile patients. The expression of HSD1 was significantly higher in anovulatory PCOS than in fertile patients. Expression of HSD2 was significantly higher in PCOS patients and lower in endometriosis patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of MUC1 subunits in the infertile endometrium is significantly different from fertile and appears to be a component of altered gene expression that potentially contributes to endometrial insufficiency.
Margarit
L
L
Institute of Life Science, School of Medicine, Swansea University, and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Trust, Singleton Hospital, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, United Kingdom.
Taylor
A
A
Roberts
M H
MH
Hopkins
L
L
Davies
C
C
Brenton
A G
AG
Conlan
R S
RS
Bunkheila
A
A
Joels
L
L
White
J O
JO
Gonzalez
D
D
D000858:Anovulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018396:Mucin-1; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C099014:SPAG8 protein, human