Expression of Integrin β 3 and Intracellular Adhesion Molecule in Endometrium and Endometriotic Tissue

Objective To study the relationship between integrin β 3 ,intracellular adhesion molecule(ICAM) and endometriosis. Methods The expression of integrin β 3 and ICAM protein were determined in 3 batches by immunoblotting method in 15 endometrium and 15 endometriotic tissues of patients with endometriosis and 30 endometrium from non endometriosis subjects during the same menstrual phase. The results were scanned and semi quantified, and then analysed by F test and t test. Results The results from 3 measurements showed the same trend .Endometrium from patients with endometriosis expressed significantly fewer integrin β 3 and ICAM protein than those without endometriosis. On the other hand , the expression of integrin β 3 in endometriotic tissue was significantly lower while the ICAM expression was significantly higher than those in controls. Conclusions In patients with endometriosis, integrin β 3 and ICAM expression changed significantly from eutopic to ectopic endometrium which may be related to the development of endometriosis and infertility.