Pinopodes, leukemia inhibitory factor, integrin-β3, and mucin-1 expression in the peri-implantation endometrium of women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.
OBJECTIVE
To compare pinopode morphology and coverage, and expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), integrin-β3, and mucin-1 (MUC1) in the peri-implantation endometrium of women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) versus normal fertile women.


METHODS
Exploratory clinical study.


METHODS
University-affiliated assisted reproductive center.


METHODS
Women undergoing assisted reproduction at centers of reproductive medicine in two university teaching hospitals.


METHODS
Endometrial biopsy samples were obtained from women with RPL (test group, n = 30) and normal fertile women (control group, n = 26) 7 days after the day of luteinizing hormone peak. Pinopode morphology and coverage were assessed by use of scanning electron microscopy. Expression of LIF, integrin β3, and MUC1 were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.


METHODS
Pinopode morphology and coverage, and the expression of LIF, integrin-β3, and MUC1 in both groups.


RESULTS
Pinopode morphology and coverage, and the expression of LIF and integrin-β3 showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. The expression of MUC1 was statistically significantly reduced in the glandular epithelial cells and endometrial lumen of the RPL group compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The morphology and the coverage of pinopodes and expression of LIF and integrin-β3 did not change, but MUC1 expression was statistically significantly reduced in women with RPL compared with normal women.
Reproductive Medical Center of Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Bufang
B
Xu
Xiaoxi
X
Sun
Lu
L
Li
Ling
L
Wu
Aijun
A
Zhang
Yun
Y
Feng
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D039661:Integrin beta3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011247:Pregnancy
D039661:Integrin beta3; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D018396:Mucin-1