Expression of the gamma 2 chain of laminin-332 in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis.
BACKGROUND
Endometrial cells, which are shed by retrograde menstruation, may aberrantly express molecules involved in invasion and migration, leading to endometriosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the laminin gamma 2 chain (LAMC2) in the tissues of women with and without endometriosis.


METHODS
Endometrial biopsy specimens were collected from healthy volunteers and from endometriosis patients. Biopsy specimens from the corresponding endometriotic lesions were also collected. The expression of laminin gamma 2 chain was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
Endometrial tissue from women with or without endometriosis showed constitutive expression of LAMC2 mRNA throughout the menstrual cycle. A higher mRNA level was observed in ectopic endometrium (Ec) from women with endometriosis compared with eutopic endometrium (Eu) from women with endometriosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed a varied pattern of laminin gamma 2 chain expression, with increased epithelial expression in eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis compared with those without endometriosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The altered expression of laminin gamma 2 chain in eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis may provide new opportunities for diagnosis and treatment.
Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Tour de Pathologie (B23), Sart Tilman, B-4000 Liège, Belgium. c.munaut@ulg.ac.be.
Rosella
R
Locci
Michelle
M
Nisolle
Stefano
S
Angioni
Jean-Michel
JM
Foidart
Carine
C
Munaut
D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007797:Laminin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
C400567:LAMC2 protein, human; D007797:Laminin; D012333:RNA, Messenger