Expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle

To investigate the distribution and the role of macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) in human endometrium during cyclic changes.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shiga University of Medical Science and University Hospital.

Eighteen endometrial tissue specimens surgically resected or biopsied from women with normal menstrual cycles, without hormonal disorder or endometrial diseases.

By immunohistochemistry, using monoclonal antibodies (lambda delta 78 for MIP-1alpha and CR3/43 for human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR)).

Immunoreactivity for anti-MIP-1alpha was distributed diffusely in epithelial cells throughout the proliferative and secretory phases but was absent during menstruation due to degenerative or necrotic changes. HLA-DR was expressed in epithelial cells only in the late secretory phase and was not expressed in stromal cells.

Immunohistochemical analysis showed the presence of MIP-1alpha in the endometrial epithelium. Expression of HLA-DR in epithelial cells was observed only in the late secretory phase, suggesting that accumulation of MIP-1alpha in epithelium occurred by self production and not via a receptor mediated pathway. MIP-1alpha was released from the denuded epithelium during menstruation and appeared to contribute to the accumulation of monocytes/macrophages into the endometrial cavity. MIP-1alpha has a number of biological effects other than monocytic chemotaxis, and some of these effects may be exerted in the endometrial tissue.