In the secretory endometria of women, luminal epithelia exhibit gene and protein expressions that differ from those of glandular epithelia.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the transcriptome of luminal epithelia (LE) of fertile secretory endometria and compare the results with those from glandular epithelia (GE).


METHODS
Endometrial samples were collected at 2 and 7 days after initial blood LH surge in separate menstrual cycles. LE were obtained with the use of laser microdissection. mRNA was amplified with the use of linear polymerase chain reaction and hybridized to Agilent 4×44 microarrays. Gene analysis was used to identify differentially expressed mRNAs. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess nine proteins.


METHODS
One IVF clinic.


METHODS
Seven Caucasian fertile cycling women.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Cycle dating with the use of blood endocrinologic markers, microarrays of laser-microdissected LE, immunohistochemical analysis.


RESULTS
One hundred sixty-one (of 401) differentially expressed mRNAs in LE were identified from the metabolism pathway. Increased selective protein expression in LE at 7 days after initial LH surge was observed. LE mRNA expression was the converse of that in GE. The two cell types each had a different significant biologic pathway identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results introduce a new concept that LE differentially expressed mRNAs are in the converse direction to that of GE, indicating different biologic processes despite the GE being continuous with the luminal monolayer. This probable distinction of biologic roles has not been noted previously. Further investigations must take cognizance of this observation.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand; Fertility Associates, Christchurch, New Zealand. Electronic address: gloria.evans@otago.ac.nz.
Gloria E
GE
Evans
Fundación IVI, Valencia, Spain.
José A
JA
Martínez-Conejero
Fertility Associates, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Gregory T M
GT
Phillipson
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Peter H
PH
Sykes
Fertility Associates, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Iris L
IL
Sin
Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology and The Bioinformatics Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Enid Y N
EY
Lam
Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology and The Bioinformatics Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Cristin G
CG
Print
ARAID at I+CS, Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain; University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain.
José A
JA
Horcajadas
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand; Centre of Neuroendocrinology and MacDiarmid Institute of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
John J
JJ
Evans
D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D061346:Laser Capture Microdissection; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D044465:White People
D005819:Genetic Markers; D012333:RNA, Messenger
Gene and protein expression; glandular epithelia; luminal epithelia; nonreceptive and receptive endometrium