{"paper_id":"396b7cb3-c263-4368-8d4f-c253fc1c8313","body_text":"Abstract\nPurpose\nThe aim of the study was to observe alterations of pacemaker cells termed cajal-like type of tubal interstitial cells (t-ICC) in oviduct from early-stage EMs and tEP, discuss underlying mechanisms and potential role in tubal factor infertility (TFI).\nMethods\nTen patients with early-stage EMs, 10 with unruptured tEP and 10 control subjects were included in this retrospective comparative study, received adnexectomy (salpingectomy) and/or hysterectomy. Paraffin-embedded full-thickness isthmic segment of oviduct specimens received immunohistochemistry with c-kit/CD117 antibody. Network distribution and area density of cells with features of t-ICC were analyzed.\nResults\nt-ICC was detected mainly in lamina propria and smooth muscle layers. t-ICC lost its network integrity, became less densely stained, sparse and almost invisible with relatively very rare connections in EMs and tEP, apparently differing in morphology of t-ICC from control, which demonstrated rich t-ICC immunostaining and intact network. Further quantitative analysis showed the area density of t-ICC decreased significantly in early-stage EMs and tEP compared with the control (73.9 ± 8.8 vs. 156 ± 18.3 mm2; and 76 ± 7.4 vs. 156 ± 18.3 mm2; both P < 0.001).\nConclusions\nWe revealed that t-ICC underwent certain degree of cell damage, suggested that decreased expression of t-ICC network may be involved in early development of EMs and tEP, and might serve as an explanation for TFI in these patients.\nSimilar content being viewed by others\nAbbreviations\n- t-ICC:\n-\nCajal-like type of tubal interstitial cells\n- EMs:\n-\nEndometriosis\n- tEP:\n-\nTubal ectopic pregnancy\n- TFI:\n-\nTubal factor infertility\nReferences\nMacer ML, Taylor HS (2012) Endometriosis and infertility: a review of the pathogenesis and treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility. 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Neurogastroenterol Motil 23(1):36–44. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2010.01590.x\nAcknowledgments\nThis project was supported by Natural Science Foundation of China (to Xiao-Jun Yang, General Program, Project No. 81270679); Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (to Xiao-Jun Yang, General Program, Project No. LY12H04004).\nConflict of interest\nAuthors indicate that we have no financial relationship with the organizations that sponsored the research. We state that we have had full control of all primary data and that agree to allow the Journal to review data if requested. We declare that we have no conflict of interest.\nAuthor information\nAuthors and Affiliations\nCorresponding author\nRights and permissions\nAbout this article\nCite this article\nYang, XJ., Xu, JY., Shen, ZJ. et al. Immunohistochemical alterations of cajal-like type of tubal interstitial cells in women with endometriosis and tubal ectopic pregnancy. Arch Gynecol Obstet 288, 1295–1300 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-2878-9\nReceived:\nAccepted:\nPublished:\nIssue date:\nDOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-2878-9","source_license":"CC0","license_restricted":false}