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Hormonal regulation of complement factor B in human endometrium
L A Hasty1, W W Brockman, J D Lambris
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989)
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Factor B, crucial for complement activation, is present in the endometrium during high progesterone states like pregnancy and hormone therapy. It is found in glandular cells and maternal decidua but not in early fetal trophoblast tissue.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Complement system biology
- Endometrial physiology
Background:
- Complement components, including C3 and factor B, are expressed in the human endometrium in a cycle-dependent manner.
- Factor B, essential for the alternative complement pathway, is typically found in luteal phase endometrium's glandular epithelium.
- Previous studies indicate limited or no C3 production in proliferative endometrium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of factor B in the endometrium under conditions of high progesterone.
- To determine if factor B expression changes during pregnancy or with exogenous progesterone administration.
Main Methods:
- Endometrial biopsies were collected from women undergoing progesterone therapy.
- Endometrial tissue from early pregnancies (ectopic and therapeutic terminations) was analyzed.
- Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against factor B was performed on all biopsies.
Main Results:
- Factor B was detected in the glandular epithelial cells of endometria from women on progesterone therapy.
- Factor B was localized to the glandular compartment in endometria of early ectopic pregnancies.
- In early gestation implantation sites, factor B was present in the maternal decidua but absent in the trophoblast.
Conclusions:
- Endometrial factor B expression is hormone-dependent, particularly influenced by progesterone levels.
- Factor B is not expressed in the fetal trophoblast tissue during early gestation.