title: Endometrial Expression of Homeobox Genes and Cell Adhesion Molecules in Infertile Women With Intramural Fibroids During Window of Implantation.
abstract: This study was designed to examine the expression and cellular distribution of homeobox ( HOX) genes ( HOXA10 and HOXA11) and cell adhesion molecules (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and β-catenin) during the window of implantation in infertile women with noncavity-distorting intramural (IM) fibroids (n = 18) and in fertile controls (n = 12). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and protein expression, respectively. When compared to fertile controls, reduced HOXA10 and HOXA11 transcript and protein levels were observed in infertile women. However, changes only in the expression of HOXA10 mRNA (-1.72-fold; P = .03) and stromal protein ( P = .001) were statistically significant. Significantly lower E-cadherin mRNA (-10.97-fold; P = .02) and protein levels were seen in infertile patients. E-cadherin immunostaining was significantly reduced both in the luminal ( P = .048) and in the glandular ( P = .014) epithelium of endometrium from infertile patients when compared to controls. No significant change was observed either in the mRNA levels or in the immunoexpression of N-cadherin and β-catenin. However, a trend toward lower N-cadherin expression in the luminal epithelium ( P = .054) and decreased β-catenin expression in the glandular epithelium ( P = .070) was observed in infertile patients. The present findings suggest that altered endometrial HOXA10 and E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression observed in infertile women with IM fibroids during the mid-secretory phase might impair endometrial receptivity leading to infertility in these patients.
authors.affiliation: 1 Post-Graduate Department of Pathology, King George's Medical University-UP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Annu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Makker
authors.affiliation: 1 Post-Graduate Department of Pathology, King George's Medical University-UP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Madhu Mati
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Goel
authors.affiliation: 1 Post-Graduate Department of Pathology, King George's Medical University-UP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Dipti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nigam
authors.affiliation: 1 Post-Graduate Department of Pathology, King George's Medical University-UP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vikram
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Biochemistry, King George's Medical University-UP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Abbas Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mahdi
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King George's Medical University-UP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vinita
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King George's Medical University-UP, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Amita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pandey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D000080905:Homeobox A10 Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; C484298:HOXA11 protein, human; D000080905:Homeobox A10 Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; C069634:HOXA10 protein, human
keywords: cell adhesion molecules; endometrial receptivity; homeobox genes; infertility; intramural fibroids