Antigenic similarities between respiratory and reproductive tract mucins: heterogeneity of mucin expression by human endocervix and endometrium

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether common epitopes are shared by respiratory and reproductive tract mucins and to compare the expression of cross-reactive mucin subtypes in human endocervix and endometrium.

Design: An immunohistochemical study of mucin expression using a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antimucin antibodies and timed endocervical and endometrial biopsies.

Setting: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, a tertiary care referral center.

Patients: Twenty-eight women who underwent laparoscopy, laparotomy, or hysterectomy.

Main outcome measures: The expression of human tracheal mucin subspecies (types I to V) in endocervix (n = 3) and endometria (n = 25).

Results: Of the five mucin subspecies, type I mucin was localized to the squamous epithelium of endocervix and both glands and stroma of endometrium. Both tissues failed to react with type II mucin. Type III mucin was localized to differentiated cells of the squamous epithelium of endocervix and the glandular endometrium. Type IV mucin was specific to endometrium and was localized both in endometrial glands and stroma with no reactivity with endocervix. Type V mucin was expressed in both cervical and endometrial stroma and glands.

Conclusions: Human respiratory and reproductive tract mucins share common peptide and carbohydrate epitopes. Human endocervix and endometria express a unique pattern of mucin antigens. Because of their restricted specificity, these monoclonal antibodies could provide new tools to investigate normal and aberrant expression of reproductive tract mucin subtypes in tissues and secretions.