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Further characterization of endometrial integrins during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy
B A Lessey1, A J Castelbaum, C A Buck
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7570.
Objective:
To profile the changes in integrin expression in cycling and pregnant endometrium.
Design:
Immunohistochemistry was performed on endometrium from proliferative, early, and midsecretory phase and early pregnancy using a blinded panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against integrins. Closer examination of the cycle-dependent integrins was performed in 112 patients throughout the cycle and from the first trimester of pregnancy.
Setting:
An academic teaching hospital.
Patients:
Ovulatory women or women undergoing pregnancy termination.
Main Outcome Measure:
Staining intensity of each antibody in epithelial or stromal cells.
Results:
Certain integrins were present constitutively throughout the menstrual cycle whereas others were expressed only during the luteal phase. Four integrins increased in the decidua of pregnancy. The timing of expression of the two cycle-dependent integrins (alpha 4 beta 1 and alpha v beta 3) framed the putative window of implantation and suggests a role in establishment of uterine receptivity.
Conclusions:
Our findings confirm the patterns of endometrial integrins and suggest important roles for integrins in the process of implantation and decidualization.