CD44s Expression is Reduced in Endometriotic Lesions Compared to Eutopic Endometrium in Women with Endometriosis

Warren B. Nothnick, Nothnick WB, W B Nothnick, F Fan, Fan F, Fang Fan, Iczkowski KA, K A Iczkowski, Kenneth A. Iczkowski, Ashwell R, R Ashwell, Robin Ashwell, P. Thomas, Ossama Tawfik, Tawfik OW, O W Tawfik
International journal of gynecological pathology : official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists · 2001 · vol. 20(2) , pp. 140–146 · doi:10.1097/00004347-200104000-00005 · PMID:11293159 · W1987826348
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CD44s expression was significantly reduced in the glandular cells of endometriotic lesions compared to eutopic endometrium, especially in the secretory phase.

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This study examined CD44s expression in archival endometriotic and matching eutopic endometrial tissues from 25 women across proliferative and secretory menstrual cycle stages. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that while glandular CD44s staining intensity was significantly higher in the secretory phase of normal endometrium, it was markedly reduced or absent in corresponding endometriotic lesions during the same phase. The researchers noted that this loss of cyclic hormonal regulation suggests a potential link between altered CD44s levels and the pathophysiology of the disease. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically investigating molecular differences in CD44s expression between ectopic lesions and healthy uterine lining.

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Abstract

Immunohistochemical expression of the standard form of CD44 (CD44s) was examined in archival formalin-fixed endometriotic and matching eutopic endometrial tissue obtained from 25 patients in proliferative (N = 16) and secretory (N = 9) stages of the cycle. CD44s was expressed in most eutopic endometria and endometriotic tissue. Its expression was significantly higher in secretory than in proliferative phase endometrium. It was low but detectable in 13 of 16 proliferative phase biopsies. The majority of these endometria exhibited both glandular and stromal staining (63%). In the secretory phase, glandular cells exhibited a significantly greater intensity of staining compared to stromal cells. In endometriotic tissue, stromal cell CD44s expression did not differ between tissue types in either stage of the cycle. In contrast, glandular expression in endometriotic tissue during the secretory phase was reduced (p < 0.05) compared to eutopic endometrium. It was absent in 66% of cases and reduced in the remaining cases. Our results indicate a correlation between CD44s expression and secretory differentiation of endometrial glands in the cycle, suggesting hormonal regulation of its expression. This cyclic pattern of CD44s expression was lost in corresponding endometriotic tissue. Reduced expression of CD44s in endometriotic tissue may provide insight into the pathophysiology of endometriosis.
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CD44s Expression is Reduced in Endometriotic Lesions Compared to Eutopic Endometrium in Women with Endometriosis - Warren B. Nothnick - Fang Fan - Kenneth A. Iczkowski - Robin Ashwell - Patricia Thomas - Ossama W. Tawfik Summary: Immunohistochemical expression of the standard form of CD44 (CD44s) was examined in archival formalin-fixed endometriotic and matching eutopic endometrial tissue obtained from 25 patients in proliferative (N = 16) and secretory (N = 9) stages of the cycle. CD44s was expressed in most eutopic endometria and endometriotic tissue. Its expression was significantly higher in secretory than in proliferative phase endometrium. It was low but detectable in 13 of 16 proliferative phase biopsies. The majority of these endometria exhibited both glandular and stromal staining (63%). In the secretory phase, glandular cells exhibited a significantly greater intensity of staining compared to stromal cells. In endometriotic tissue, stromal cell CD44s expression did not differ between tissue types in either stage of the cycle. In contrast, glandular expression in endometriotic tissue during the secretory phase was reduced (p < 0.05) compared to eutopic endometrium. It was absent in 66% of cases and reduced in the remaining cases. Our results indicate a correlation between CD44s expression and secretory differentiation of endometrial glands in the cycle, suggesting hormonal regulation of its expression. This cyclic pattern of CD44s expression was lost in corresponding endometriotic tissue. Reduced expression of CD44s in endometriotic tissue may provide insight into the pathophysiology of endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometrium Hyaluronan Receptors Adult Endometriosis Endometrium Female Humans Hyaluronan Receptors Immunohistochemistry Menstrual Cycle Middle Aged Stromal Cells Stromal Cells

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