Molecular Human Reproduction, Vol. 8, No. 8, 765-769,
August 2002
© 2002 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Uterine physiology |
Co-existence of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor and pinopodes in human endometrium at the time of implantation
1 Department of Woman and Child Health, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, 2 Division of Pediatrics, Karolinska Hospital, 3 Department of Clinical Science, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden and 4 Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
Pinopodes have been suggested to be markers of uterine receptivity. Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is expressed in increasing amounts in the secretory phase endometrium and is considered to be important for the human implantation process. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible co-existence of pinopodes and HB-EGF in the normal human endometrium. Endometrial biopsies were obtained from women with normal menstrual cycles. The biopsies were examined by scanning electron microscopy for the detection of pinopodes, by immunohistochemistry for the expression of HB-EGF protein, and by confocal microscopy to determine if HB-EGF was present on the surface of the pinopodes. The expression of HB-EGF in luminal and glandular epithelium was highest when fully developed pinopodes were present. Using confocal microscopy it was shown that HB-EGF was present both inside the luminal epithelial cells and on the surface of pinopodes. These findings suggest that HB-EGF might play a role in both the attachment and penetration steps in the human implantation process. Furthermore, the immunohistochemical staining demonstrates that HB-EGF can be used as a marker for the implantation window.
endometrium/HB-EGF/pinopodes
5 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: anneli.stavreus-evers{at}kbh.ki.se
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  B. Urman, B. Ata, K. Yakin, C. Alatas, S. Aksoy, R. Mercan, and B. Balaban Luteal phase empirical low molecular weight heparin administration in patients with failed ICSI embryo transfer cycles: a randomized open-labeled pilot trial Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2009; 24(7): 1640 - 1647. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C.E. Quinn and R.F. Casper Pinopodes: a questionable role in endometrial receptivity Hum. Reprod. Update, March 1, 2009; 15(2): 229 - 236. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. M. Nelson and I. A. Greer The potential role of heparin in assisted conception Hum. Reprod. Update, November 1, 2008; 14(6): 623 - 645. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. Aghajanova, K. Bjuresten, S. Altmae, B.-M. Landgren, and A. Stavreus-Evers HB-EGF but Not Amphiregulin or Their Receptors HER1 and HER4 Is Altered in Endometrium of Women With Unexplained Infertility Reproductive Sciences, May 1, 2008; 15(5): 484 - 492. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Strowitzki, A. Germeyer, R. Popovici, and M. von Wolff The human endometrium as a fertility-determining factor Hum. Reprod. Update, September 1, 2006; 12(5): 617 - 630. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Ejskjaer, B.S. Sorensen, S.S. Poulsen, O. Mogensen, A. Forman, and E. Nexo Expression of the epidermal growth factor system in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle Mol. Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2005; 11(8): 543 - 551. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Matsumoto, T. Daikoku, H. Wang, E. Sato, and S.K. Dey Differential Expression of Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (ERM) and ERM-Associated Adhesion Molecules in the Blastocyst and Uterus Suggests Their Functions During Implantation Biol Reprod, March 1, 2004; 70(3): 729 - 736. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|