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Menstrual cycle dependent expression of CD44 in normal human endometrium
N Yaegashi1, N Fujita, A Yajima
1Department of Microbiology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Human Pathology
|August 1, 1995
Summary
The standard form of CD44 glycoprotein is not expressed in the proliferative phase but is present in the secretory phase of the human endometrium, suggesting a role in embryo implantation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Reproductive Biology
- Glycoprotein Research
Background:
- CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein functioning as a hyaluronate receptor.
- CD44 is implicated in lymphocyte homing and cancer metastasis.
- Previous studies confirmed CD44 molecule expression in normal endometrial tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of CD44 glycoproteins in normal human endometrial tissue.
- To elucidate the potential roles of CD44 molecules in endometrial function, particularly during the menstrual cycle.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis was employed to examine CD44 standard form and variant (exon v6) expression.
- The study analyzed 11 endometria from the proliferative phase and 19 from the secretory phase.
- Expression was localized to specific cell surfaces within the endometrial tissue.
Main Results:
- No expression of the CD44 standard form was detected in the proliferative phase endometria.
- CD44 standard form was intensely expressed in 13 out of 19 secretory phase endometria, specifically in the mid and late secretory phases.
- Four of the CD44-positive cases also showed positivity for the CD44 variant with exon v6; CD44 molecules were found on most endometrial cell surfaces except the luminal ones.
Conclusions:
- CD44 glycoprotein expression in the human endometrium is dependent on the menstrual cycle phase.
- The observed cyclical expression suggests a potential involvement of CD44 molecules in the process of fertilized ovum implantation.