Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in human endometrium: implications for long term progestin only contraception

Background  

Neutrophils infiltrate the endometrium pre-menstrually and after long-term progestin only-contraceptive (LTPOC) treatment. Trafficking of neutrophils involves endothelial cell-expressed intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1). Previous studies observed that ICAM-1 was immunolocalized to the endothelium of endometrial specimens across the menstrual cycle, but disagreed as to whether extra-endothelial cell types express ICAM-1 and whether ICAM-1 expression varies across the menstrual cycle.     

Innate immune defences in the human endometrium

The human endometrium is an important site of innate immune defence, giving protection against uterine infection. Such protection is critical to successful implantation and pregnancy. Infection is a major cause of preterm birth and can also cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Natural anti-microbial peptides are key mediators of the innate immune system. These peptides, between them, have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral activity and are expressed at epithelial surfaces throughout the female genital tract. Two families of natural anti-microbials, the defensins and the whey acidic protein (WAP) motif proteins, appear to be prominent in endometrium. The human endometrial epithelium expresses beta-defensins 1–4 and the WAP motif protein, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor. Each beta-defensin has a different expression profile in relation to the stage of the menstrual cycle, providing potential protection throughout the cycle. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor is expressed during the secretory phase of the cycle and has a range of possible roles including anti-protease and anti-microbial activity as well as having effects on epithelial cell growth. The leukocyte populations in the endometrium are also a source of anti-microbial production. Neutrophils are a particularly rich source of alpha-defensins, lactoferrin, lysozyme and the WAP motif protein, elafin. The presence of neutrophils during menstruation will enhance anti-microbial protection at a time when the epithelial barrier is disrupted. Several other anti-microbials including the natural killer cell product, granulysin, are likely to have a role in endometrium. The sequential production of natural anti-microbial peptides by the endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and at other sites in the female genital tract will offer protection from many pathogens, including those that are sexually transmitted.     

Effect of exogenous lectin on the endogenous lectin and antioxidant enzymes activity and flavonoid content in wheat

The presawing treatment of wheat seeds by lectin specific to the plant and its compositions with gapten and nitrogen fixation bacteria on the change in enzyme activity of antioxidant system of plant protection (peroxydase and katalase), endogenous lectin activity and flavonoid content in wheat leaves was studied in vegetation experiments. It is shown, that different biochemical links of protection plant system are activated, i.e. lectin activity in leaves increases 1.3 to 1.5 times, peroxydase activity and katalase activity rises 1.5 times and 5.0 to 8.0 times respectively and flavonoide content in leaves of vegetating plants increases under normal conditions of plant growth at the influence of factors of lectin nature.     

Karyology of plant species endemic to Ullung Island (Korea) and selected relatives in peninsular Korea and Japan

Chromosomal changes, including polyploidy and dysploidy, often accompany speciation of angiosperms in continental regions. In contrast, on geologically young oceanic islands, little change in chromosome number occurs during speciation of endemics. Absence of change in number of chromosomes does not necessarily mean lack of chromosomal rearrangements. To determine whether detailed karyotypic changes accompany speciation in island habitats, nine endemic species in Abelia , Acer , Campanula , Dystaenia , Hepatica , Rubus , Valeriana , Veronica and Viola of Ullung Island, a geologically young volcanic island off the coast of peninsular Korea in the Eastern Sea, have been compared with progenitors in mainland Korea and Japan. Results confirm that no changes in ploidy level or dysploidy have occurred during speciation of these endemic island taxa. Detailed karyotypic analysis indicates that most of the taxa have not undergone significant macromorphological chromosomal changes. In the bitypic genus Dystaenia (Umbelliferae), D. takesimana , endemic to Ullung Island, differs karyotypically from its progenitor, D. ibukiensis from Japan, in a number of chromosomal elements, some of which appear to be satellites and others of which may represent B chromosomes. This suggests that rDNA loci might have been lost or rearranged during speciation. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 138 , 93–105.     

Regulation of human endometrial function: mechanisms relevant to uterine bleeding

This review focuses on the complex events that occur in the endometrium after progesterone is withdrawn (or blocked) and menstrual bleeding ensues. A detailed understanding of these local mechanisms will enhance our knowledge of disturbed endometrial/uterine function--including problems with excessively heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis and breakthrough bleeding with progestin only contraception. The development of novel strategies to manage these clinically significant problems depends on such new understanding as does the development of new contraceptives which avoid the endometrial side effect of breakthrough bleeding.