[Expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b in eutopic endometrium].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium in women with endometriosis. METHODS: RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR were used to examine the expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium in 20 women with endometriosis and the endometrium in 20 women without endometriosis. Immunofluorescene staining was used to detect the expression of DNMT1 in these tissues. RESULTS: The expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b were significantly lower in the ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium than those of the control endometium (P<0.05). The changes in the ectopic endometium compared with the control endometium were 0.44, 0.12, and 0.27 folds for DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b, respectively, and these in the eutopic endometrium were 0.27, 0.13, and 0.15 folds for DNMT1,DNMT3a, and DNMT3b, respectively. The expression level of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b between the ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium was not significantly different (P>0.05 ). Immunofluorescence staining that DNMT1 protein level significantly decreased in the ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium of endometriosis patients. CONCLUSION: Decreased expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b in the ectopic endometrium and eutopic endometrium may play a role in patients with abnormal epigenetics which may lead to endometriosis.