原因不明月经过少子宫内膜雌激素受体β表达

探讨原因不明月经过少子宫内膜雌激素受体β（estrogen receptorβ,ERβ）表达。从两组人群中分别选取原因不明月经过少子宫内膜组织40例,月经量正常子宫内膜组织40例。通过逆转录-多聚酶链反应（RT-PCR）和Western印迹法检测ERβ表达。分析实验组与对照组ERβ-mRNA及蛋白质的表达情况,将不同年龄、人流次数子宫内膜ERβ-mRNA及蛋白质的表达进行比较。实验组ERβ-mRNA表达量为0.6457±0.2957,对照组为0.9637±0.3621,实验组ERβ-mRNA比对照组表达下调,差异有统计学意义（t=-6.589,P〈0.001）。实验组ERβ蛋白质表达量为347.37±30.35,对照组为445.21±45.67,实验组ERβ蛋白质比对照组表达下调,差异有统计学意义（t=-4.353,P〈0.001）。两组人群不同年龄、人流次数ERβ表达比较,差别无统计学意义。原因不明月经过少患者ERβmRNA及蛋白质在子宫内膜中的表达低于月经量正常子宫内膜,其可能与月经量减少有关。原因不明月经过少患者子宫内膜ERβ的表达与年龄、人流次数无关。     

原因不明月经过少子宫内膜雌激素受体β基因多态性及其表达

目的:探讨原因不明月经过少子宫内膜雌激素受体β(ERβ)基因多态性及其与表达的关系。方法:从2组人群中分别选取原因不明月经过少子宫内膜组织40例、月经量正常子宫内膜组织40例,通过逆转录-多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)和Western印迹检测ERβ的表达;分析实验组与对照组ERβmRNA及蛋白质的表达情况,将ERβ基因的各基因型、等位基因型与子宫内膜ERβmRNA及蛋白质的表达之间分别进行比较。结果:实验组ERβmRNA表达量为0.6457±0.2957,对照组为0.9637±0.3621,实验组比对照组表达下调,差异有统计学意义(t=-6.589,P0.001);实验组ERβ蛋白质表达量为347.37±30.35,对照组为445.21±45.67,实验组比对照组表达下调,差异有统计学意义(t=-4.353,P0.001);2组RsaⅠ基因型、AluⅠ基因型、CA重复序列基因型ERβ表达差异均无统计学意义。结论:原因不明月经过少患者ERβmRNA及蛋白质在子宫内膜中的表达低于月经量正常子宫内膜,可能与月经量减少有关;2组人群ERβ基因RsaⅠ、AluⅠ、CA重复序列基因型及等位基因型子宫内膜表达无差异。     

原因不明子宫内膜薄雌激素受体α基因多态性及其表达

旨在探讨原因不明子宫内膜薄雌激素受体α(estrogen receptor alpha,ERα)基因多态性及其与表达的关系。选择120名原因不明子宫内膜薄患者为试验组,120名子宫内膜正常人群作为对照组。应用分子生物学的方法分析ERα基因PvuⅡ,XbaⅠ限制性片段长度多态性。通过逆转录-多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)和Western印迹法分析ERα表达。结果显示,P基因型频率试验组为47.1%,对照组为30.0%,OR值:2.076。试验组X基因型频率为20.8%,对照组为30.4%,OR值:0.602。Pvu II和Xba I限制性片段长度多态性在两组中均呈多态性分布。试验组ERα的mRNA和蛋白质表达均比对照组降低(P0.05)。由此得出,ERα基因多态性与原因不明子宫内膜薄有关,P等位基因可能是其危险因素,X等位基因可能是其保护因素。ERα在子宫内膜中原因不明子宫内膜薄中的表达低于子宫内膜厚度正常子宫内膜。     

ER和PRmRNAs在内异症子宫内膜表达的变化

目的 :探讨雌激素受体 (ER)和孕激素受体 (PR)在子宫内膜异位症 (内异症 )子宫内膜的表达。方法 :利用大鼠内异症动物模型 ,采用逆转录聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)技术 ,检测子宫内膜ER和PRmRNAs的表达情况。结果 :内异症模型组大鼠异位内膜ER、PRmRNAs的表达低于在位内膜和对照组正常子宫内膜 ,与后两者比较差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 1) ;而模型组在位内膜ER、PRmRNAs的表达与正常对照组比较差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。内异症模型组异位内膜ER/PRmRNA比值大于在位内膜和正常子宫内膜ER/PRmRNA比值 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :内异症大鼠异位内膜ERmRNA表达的相对增高在内异症的发生与发展中起着一定的作用。     

卵巢切除对大鼠子宫阴道雌激素受体亚型表达的影响

目的 通过观察雌激素受体亚型在去势大鼠子宫和阴道的表达, 研究卵巢切除对大鼠子宫、阴道的影响机制.方法 60只成年SD雌性大鼠随机分为正常组、假手术组、去势组,每组20只.8周后处死大鼠,分离摘取子宫、阴道,进行ERα、ERβ免疫组织化学染色和mRNA半定量RT-PCR检测.结果 ERα在各组子宫内膜上皮细胞、间质细胞及平滑肌细胞中均有表达,以内膜腔上皮和腺上皮细胞表达最强;ERα在各组阴道粘膜上皮细胞、间质细胞及平滑肌细胞中均有表达,以粘膜上皮细胞中表达最强.去势组子宫、阴道ERα表达水平较其它两组明显降低.ERβ主要在正常组和假手术组子宫内膜腔上皮细胞、腺上皮细胞和阴道粘膜上皮细胞中有表达,但较ERα表达弱.ERβ在去势大鼠子宫和阴道中未见明显表达.正常组和假手术组子宫、阴道雌激素受体亚型的表达强度和分布无明显差异.结论 卵巢切除后大鼠子宫、阴道ER亚型表达明显降低,尤其以ERβ表达下调明显.     

自然发情与诱导发情小鼠子宫内膜中雌激素受体α表达的比较

目的从雌激素受体α(ERα)的角度探讨自然发情小鼠与诱导发情小鼠的子宫内膜上,雌激素受体α表达是否受内源雌激素的特异诱导而变化,两者之间是否存在差异。方法27只同日龄母鼠,根据处理方式的不同随机分为3个组:自然发情假孕组(对照组)、诱导发情处理假孕组和自然发情假孕第1天摘除卵巢组,3个组的小鼠在见栓后第4、6、8天分别取样后,采用免疫组织化学法观察小鼠子宫内膜中雌激素受体α的表达情况。结果免疫组化结果显示,3个处理组的小鼠子宫内膜上皮细胞核、胞质都有ERα存在,且主要表达在腺上皮;见栓第4、6、8天时,诱导发情处理组小鼠子宫内膜的ERα阳性率均显著高于自然发情组和自然发情第1天摘除卵巢组(P0.05);见栓第8天时,自然发情处理组小鼠子宫内膜中的ERα阳性率与自然发情第1天摘除卵巢组差异不显著(P0.05),但见栓第4、6天时两者阳性率差异显著,自然发情处理组小鼠子宫内膜中的ERα阳性率显著高于自然发情第1天摘除卵巢组(P0.05)。结论诱导发情处理的小鼠子宫内膜,其表面雌激素受体α表达显著高于自然发情小鼠,且两者都受其内源性雌激素的特异诱导而变化。     

大鼠薄型子宫内膜模型的建立和鉴定

为探索宫腔注入无水乙醇建立薄型子宫内膜模型的可行性,将25只大鼠分3组:对照组(宫腔注入生理盐水),5分钟组(宫腔注入无水乙醇并贮留5 min),10分钟组(宫腔注入无水乙醇并贮留10 min),经测量子宫内膜变薄者为造模组,5分钟组有14个子宫内膜变薄,10分钟组无一例纳入造模组.免疫组织化学检测角蛋白、波形蛋白、血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)、雌激素受体α(estrogen related recep-tor alpha,ERα)的表达.结果发现5分钟组造模组与对照组单位内膜面积中角蛋白面积、单位间质面积中波形蛋白面积和子宫内膜中VEGF平均光密度差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),造模组与对照组子宫内膜ERα组织学积分无差异(P>0.05).表明宫腔注入无水乙醇并贮留5 min可以成功建立薄型子宫内膜模型,成功率为70%.     

原因不明子宫内膜薄雌激素受体β基因RsaⅠ、AluⅠ多态性

旨在探讨重庆地区雌激素受体β基因RsaⅠ、AluⅠ多态性与原因不明子宫内膜薄的关系.选择重庆地区120名原因不明子宫内膜薄患者为试验组,120名正常子宫内膜作为对照组.应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性的方法分析ERβ基因RsaⅠ、AluⅠ多态性.观察ER β基因多态性在试验组与对照组中的分布,分析各基因型、等位基因型及单倍体型特征.结果显示,两组ER β基因RsaⅠ基因型比较差异有显著性,R等位基因型频率试验组为37.1%,对照组为48.3%,OR值为0.630(95%CI=0.438～0.907),P=0.013;两组ER β基因AluⅠ基因型比较差异没有显著性.试验组和对照组ER β基因RsaI和AluI单倍体型D′分别=0.1138、0.0680,其连锁不平衡性不强.ER β基因多态性与原因不明子宫内膜薄有关,R等位基因可能是其保护因素.     

雌激素受体α基因多态性及其表达与子宫内膜增生的关系

目的:探讨子宫内膜增生症雌激素受体α(estrogen receptorα,ERα)基因多态性及其与表达的关系.方法:选择江西地区150例子宫内膜增生症患者为实验组,100例子宫内膜正常妇女为对照组.应用分子生物学的方法分析ERα基因Xba Ⅰ和PvuⅡ限制性片段长度多态性,通过逆转录-多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)和Western blot方法分析ERα表达.结果:(1)X等位基因频率的变化与子宫内膜增生程度具有相关性P＜0.01,不典型增生组中XX型频率是正常组的4倍.随着子宫内膜增生程度的增加,P等位基因频率减少,人群中PP基因型频率逐渐减少;(2)单纯性增生、复杂性增生ERαmRNA和蛋白表达均比正常组高(P＜0.01),而不典型增生ERαmRNA和蛋白质表达均比单纯增生、复杂增生低(P＜0.01).结论:ERα基因多态性与子宫内膜增生发生及增生程度存在相关性.ERα表达的下调与子宫内膜不典型增生的发生有关.     

雌激素、孕激素对雌激素受体、孕激素受体阴性子宫内膜腺癌细胞系JEC裸鼠皮下移植瘤生长的影响

目的探讨一定浓度雌激素(E2)及孕激素(P)对雌激素受体(ER)和孕激素受体(PR)阴性的子宫内膜腺癌细胞系JEC裸鼠移植瘤的影响。方法选用人子宫内膜腺癌细胞系JEC为研究对象,Balb/c.nu裸鼠皮下注射8×105个/0.2mLJEC细胞,分别注射E2、P及NS连续一周,观察肿瘤的生长及病理学变化情况。结果各组肿瘤体积、瘤体重量及瘤细胞核的积分光密度值依次为E2组>NS组>P组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论 ER和PR阴性的JEC细胞生长可受到雌激素和孕激素的调控,一定浓度的雌激素能促进瘤体的生长,而孕激素则对瘤体的生长有抑制效应。     

Oestrogen receptor‐mediated expression of Olfactomedin 4 regulates the progression of endometrial adenocarcinoma

Endometrial adenocarcinoma is the most common tumour of the female genital tract in developed countries, and oestrogen receptor (ER) signalling plays a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. When we used bioinformatics tools to search for the genes contributing to gynecological cancers, the expression of Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) was found by digital differential display to be associated with differentiation of endometrial adenocarcinoma. Aberrant expression of OLFM4 has been primarily reported in tumours of the digestive system. The mechanism of OLFM4 in tumuorigenesis is elusive. We investigated OLFM4 expression in endometrium, analysed the association of OLFM4 with ER signalling in endometrial adenocarcinoma, and examined the roles of OLFM4 in endometrial adenocarcinoma. Expression of OLFM4 was increased during endometrial carcinogenesis, linked to the differentiation of endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and positively related to the expression of oestrogen receptor‐α (ERα) and progesterone receptor. Moreover, ERα‐mediated signalling regulated expression of OLFM4, and knockdown of OLFM4 enhanced proliferation, migration and invasion of endometrial carcinoma cells. Down‐regulation of OLFM4 was associated with decreased cumulative survival rate of patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Our data suggested that impairment of ERα signal‐mediated OLFM4 expression promoted the malignant progression of endometrioid adenocarcinoma, which may have significance for the therapy of this carcinoma.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors in the human endometrium: modulation during the menstrual cycle

Angiogenesis is fundamental for human endometrial development and differentiation necessary for implantation. These vascular changes are thought to be mediated by the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), whose specific receptors have not been examined in detail thus far. We conducted the present study to determine, by immunocytochemistry and computerized image analysis of the functionalis, the expression and modulation of the receptors Flk-1/KDR and Flt-1, which mediate VEGF effects on endothelial mitogenicity, chemotaxis, and capillary permeability. VEGF receptors are expressed mainly in endometrial endothelial cells, with variations of intensity and number of stained capillaries related to the phase of the cycle. The number of capillaries immunostained for Flk-1/KDR was maximal in the proliferative phase (ratio Flk-1/CD34: 1), twice as high as the number of Flt-1-expressing capillaries (ratio Flt-1/CD34: 0.47). The staining intensity for Flk-1 decreased during the late proliferative and early secretory phases, to increase again in the midsecretory period. The number of Flt-1-labeled capillaries was about 2-fold higher in the secretory than in the proliferative phase; however, the proportion of Flt-1-positive cells did not change, owing to the associated increase in vascular density that characterizes progression of the functionalis from the proliferative to the secretory stage. The staining intensity for Flt-1 was higher during the late proliferative and secretory phases (especially in the midsecretory phase) and the premenstrual period. In contrast, the proportion of capillaries expressing Flk-1/KDR decreased in the secretory phase (ratio Flk-1/Von Willebrand factor: 0.55). Enhanced expression of Flk-1/KDR, and of Flt-1, on narrow capillary strands at the beginning of and during the proliferative phase may account for the rapid capillary growth associated with endometrial regeneration following menstrual shedding. The high coexpression of Flk-1/KDR and Flt-1 observed on capillaries during the midsecretory period correlates with an increase of endometrial microvascular density and of permeability characteristic of this phase of the cycle, which is a prerequisite for implantation. Finally, strong expression of Flt-1, but not Flk-1/KDR, was observed on dilated capillaries during the premenstrual period and the late proliferative phase, suggesting preferential association of Flt-1 with nonproliferating capillaries at those times; activation of this receptor by VEGF could be involved in premenstrual vascular hyperpermeability, edema, and extravasation of leukocytes. In addition to the endothelial localization, we found that epithelial cells expressed Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR. We conclude that Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR in the functionalis are modulated in parallel or independently according to the phase of the cycle, and that these changes are responsible for VEGF actions on endometrial vascular growth and permeability. The molecular mechanisms concerning these regulations will require further investigation.     

Cell-specific expression of estrogen-responsive genes in the uteri of cyclic, early pregnant and ovariectomized ewes

A single physiological dose of estradiol up-regulates estrogen receptor-alpha(ER), progesterone receptor (PR), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), c-fos, cyclophilin, and actin mRNAs in the endometrium of ovariectomized ewes. Therefore, we hypothesized that these genes would be up-regulated by the preovulatory surge of estrogen which occurs on the evening of Day 15 in the estrous cycle of sheep. ER and PR mRNA concentrations increased between Day 15 and Day 1 in cyclic ewes in most endometrial epithelial cells, while GAPDH mRNA increased in epithelial and stromal cells in the deep endometrium. Day 15 pregnant ewes had lower expression of ER, PR, GAPDH, cyclophilin and actin genes. For ER and GAPDH mRNAs, the greatest reduction occurred in the superficial endometrium. Ovariectomized ewes demonstrated concentrations of ER, PR, and GAPDH mRNAs that were similar to those in the cyclic ewes. While concentrations of c-fos mRNA did not differ between groups, those of cyclophilin and actin mRNAs were lower in the pregnant and ovariectomized ewes. In conclusion, ER, PR and GAPDH gene expression rose during estrus in endometrial cells with the highest ER gene expression and were repressed in pregnant ewes in superficial endometrial cells with the greatest PR gene expression.     

Ovarian steroids in endometrial angiogenesis

Angiogenesis, the sprouting of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is fundamental for human endometrial development and differentiation, which are necessary for implantation. This vascular process is supposed to be mainly mediated by the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), also named vascular permeability factor (VPF). We report here the expression and modulation of VEGF and its receptors, Flk-1/KDR and Flt-1, in the functionalis throughout the menstrual cycle. Using immunocytochemistry, VEGF is localized in glandular epithelial cells and in the surrounding stroma, as well as in capillaries and spiral arterioles. The localization of VEGF on the endothelium correlates with the presence of Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR receptors on vascular structures, including capillary strands that have not yet formed a lumen and that have been previously described in tumors as angiogenic capillaries. The strongest immunoreactivity for both VEGF and Flk-1/KDR receptor on endothelial cells is detected in the proliferative and midsecretory phases. Enhanced expression of VEGF and its Flk-1 receptors on narrow capillary strands during the proliferative phase may account for the rapid capillary growth associated with endometrial regeneration from the residual basal layer following menstrual shedding of the functionalis. The vascular expression of Flt-1 is more important in the secretory than in the proliferative phase, associated with a high microvascular density and an increase in vascular permeability in the implantation period. Consistently with these in vivo observations, the treatment of isolated endometrial stromal cells with estradiol (E(2)), or E(2) + progesterone, significantly increased VEGF mRNA over the control value in a dose-dependent manner. These results demonstrate that the expression of VEGF and its receptors is cyclically modulated by ovarian steroids, and that this endothelial growth factor acts on the endothelium in a paracrine fashion to control endometrial angiogenesis and permeability.     

The effects of estradiol and selective estrogen receptor modulators on gene expression and messenger RNA stability in immortalized sheep endometrial stromal cells and human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells

The purpose of this study was to identify an endometrial cell line that maintained the E2 up-regulation of estrogen receptor (ER) mRNA by enhanced message stability and to assess its dependence on ER protein. Estradiol (E2) effects on gene expression were measured in three cell lines: one immortalized from sheep endometrial stroma (ST) and two from human endometrial adenocarcinomas (Ishikawa and ECC-1). E2 up-regulated ER mRNA levels in ST and Ishikawa cells, but down-regulated ER mRNA levels in ECC-1 cells. E2 up-regulated progesterone receptor (PR), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in both Ishikawa and ECC-1 cells. The selective estrogen receptor modulator ICI 182,780 antagonized the E2-induced up-regulation of ER and/or PR mRNA levels in all three cells, while another, GW 5638, antagonized the up-regulation of PR mRNA in Ishikawa and ECC-1 cells. In mechanistic studies, E2 had no effect on ER mRNA stability in ST cells and it destabilized ER mRNA in ECC-1 cells. Thus, Ishikawa cells appear to be the most physiologically relevant cell line in which to study the up-regulation of ER mRNA levels by enhanced mRNA stability. Its antagonism by ICI 182,780 reveals that ER protein is involved in this E2 response.     

Endometrial effects of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) on estradiol-responsive gene expression are gene and cell-specific

Three selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) drugs which included 4-OH-tamoxifen (Tam), EM-800 (EM) and GW 5638 (GW) were investigated to determine their ability to inhibit estradiol-responsive gene expression in sheep endometrium. The uteri of ovariectomized ewes (10 ewes per SERM group) were infused with 10⁻⁷ M SERMs for 24 h prior to hysterectomy. Five ewes from each group received 50 μg 17β-estradiol (E2) and the remaining five ewes received vehicle 18 h prior to hysterectomy. Northern blot analyses and in situ hybridization demonstrated that E2 treatment increased estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and cyclophilin (CYC) mRNA levels in most endometrial cells examined. Tam and GW exhibited characteristics similar to E2 by increasing ER gene expression, but they antagonized the E2-induced increases in PR and CYC mRNA levels. EM acted as an E2-agonist of GAPDH gene expression, but antagonized the E2 up-regulation of ER, PR and CYC gene expression in most endometrial cells. Immunohistochemistry determined that EM decreased ER protein levels in the glandular epithelium, and the SERMs investigated antagonized increases in PR protein levels in endometrium. In conclusion, GW and EM exhibit fewer agonist effects than Tam on endometrial gene expression. EM demonstrated the greatest antagonism of E2-enhanced levels of ER, PR and CYC, likely due to the inhibition of ER gene expression at both mRNA and protein levels.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) endometrium and placenta during early pregnancy

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is fundamental for development and maintenance of endometrial and placental vascular function during pregnancy. While there are a number of studies on VEGF in the human placenta, they are mostly restricted to late pregnancy. To further understand the role of VEGF in mediating angiogenesis during human early pregnancy, we employed a rhesus monkey early pregnancy model to study the temporal and spatial expression of VEGF and its receptors, fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt)-1, and kinase-insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) mRNAs and proteins in the uteri on day 12, 18, and 26 of pregnancy using in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. VEGF mRNA had been identified in the luminal epithelium on day 12, in the glandular epithelium on day 12 and 18, and the highest expression was detected in the walls of some spiral arterioles adjacent to the implantation site on day 18, in the placental villi and in the fetal-maternal border on day 18 and 26. Besides, immunostaining of VEGF was detected in the placental villi and endometrial compartments including spiral arteries walls and the glandular epithelium. The localization of VEGF in the endothelium correlates with the presence of Flt-1 and KDR receptors on vascular structure. All the results above suggest that VEGF-VEGFR pairs were involved in the process of trophoblast invasion, maternal vascular transformation, and fetoplacental vascular differentiation and development during the rhesus monkey early pregnancy. Expression of VEGF, Flt-1, and KDR in the epithelial cells also hints some additionally functional roles of VEGF during early pregnancy.