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. 2013 Sep 26:11:94.
doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-11-94.

Expression of the gamma 2 chain of laminin-332 in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis

Rosella Locci  1 , Michelle Nisolle, Stefano Angioni, Jean-Michel Foidart, Carine Munaut
Affiliations

Expression of the gamma 2 chain of laminin-332 in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis

Rosella Locci et al. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. .

Abstract

Background: Endometrial cells, which are shed by retrograde menstruation, may aberrantly express molecules involved in invasion and migration, leading to endometriosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the laminin gamma 2 chain (LAMC2) in the tissues of women with and without endometriosis.

Methods: Endometrial biopsy specimens were collected from healthy volunteers and from endometriosis patients. Biopsy specimens from the corresponding endometriotic lesions were also collected. The expression of laminin gamma 2 chain was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results: Endometrial tissue from women with or without endometriosis showed constitutive expression of LAMC2 mRNA throughout the menstrual cycle. A higher mRNA level was observed in ectopic endometrium (Ec) from women with endometriosis compared with eutopic endometrium (Eu) from women with endometriosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed a varied pattern of laminin gamma 2 chain expression, with increased epithelial expression in eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis compared with those without endometriosis.

Conclusions: The altered expression of laminin gamma 2 chain in eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis may provide new opportunities for diagnosis and treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
RT-PCR analysis of LAMC2 mRNA expression. LAMC2 mRNA levels in normal endometrium (A). Paired LAMC2 mRNA expression in eutopic (Eu) and ectopic (Ec) endometrium from women with endometriosis (B). Comparison of LAMC2 mRNA expression in eutopic endometrium from women without endometriosis (EuE-) and eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis (EuE+) (C). P and S indicate normal proliferative and secretory endometrium, respectively. * P < 0.05.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Representative immunohistochemistry images. For the laminin gamma 2 chain (A), cytokeratin 7 (CK7, B) and Ki-67 (C) in serial sections of endometriosis lesions. Scale bar = 1 mm.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Representative immunohistochemistry images for laminin gamma 2 chain expression. Sections of ectopic endometrium (Ec, A-C), eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis (EuE+, D-F) and eutopic endometrium from women without endometriosis (EuE-, G-I) are shown. G illustrates a negative control. Arrows indicate weakly positive glands. Arrowheads indicate negative glands. Scale bar = 100 μm.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Quantification of laminin gamma 2 chain expression in glands. (A), evaluation of the intensity of expression (B) and the global score (C). Ec indicates ectopic endometrium, EuE + indicates eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis, and EuE- indicates eutopic endometrium from women without endometriosis. ** P < 0.001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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