Related Experiment Videos
Cyclic variation of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen expression in the human fallopian tube
G A Edelstam1, O E Lundkvist, L Klareskog
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Objective:
To systematically investigate the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens (human leukocyte antigens, HLA-DR, -DP, and -DQ) on columnar epithelium in the fallopian tube during the menstrual cycle.
Study Design:
Biopsies were collected from the fallopian tube during laparotomy sterilization and immunoperoxidase staining was performed.
Settings:
Departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Patients:
Twenty healthy fertile women undergoing sterilization at different times of the menstrual cycle.
Interventions:
None.
Main Outcome Measures:
The staining of the columnar epithelium was judged on a 4-graded scale according to the distribution of class II antigens.
Results:
A widespread preovulatory HLA-DR expression was observed almost completely lining the columnar epithelial cells including the luminal surface, whereas postovulatory the HLA-DR expression was withdrawn from the surface. The HLA-DP and -DQ antigens varied in a similar way, although not as pronounced.
Conclusions:
The MHC class II antigen variation in the fallopian tube epithelium seen in this study may indicate a hormonal regulation that could reflect variable need for local immunocompetence during the menstrual cycle: a preovulatory need for immunoreactivity against invading microbes and postovulatory an optimal survival of the foreign preimplantation embryo.