The depolarized expression of the alpha-6 integrin subunit in the endometria of women with endometriosis

María del Mar Vernet-Tomás, Vernet-Tomás Mdel M, M. Vernet-Tomás, Carlos Tomás Pérez-Ares, Pérez-Ares CT, Verdú N, Núria Verdú, María Teresa Fernández-Figueras, María Teresa Fernández‐Figueras, José Luis Molinero, Molinero JL, José Luis Rodríguez Molinero, Carreras R, Ramón Carreras
Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation · 2006 · vol. 13(4) , pp. 292–296 · doi:10.1016/j.jsgi.2006.03.002 · PMID:16697946 · W2043489003
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This study investigated the expression pattern of the alpha-6 integrin subunit in the endometria of women with and without endometriosis, finding a depolarized expression in affected individuals.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The current study sought to compare the endometrial localization of the integrin subunit alpha-6 in women with endometriosis and women without the disease. Alpha-6 integrins have an important function, not only in the attachment of cells to the extracellular matrix and laminin, but they also serve as inductors of cell migration and invasion, depending on their pattern of expression in the cell membrane. METHODS: The endometriosis group consisted of 32 women with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis by laparoscopy or laparotomy. The control group consisted of 20 women not having endometriosis or any other gynecologic disease at laparoscopy. Endometria were obtained by biopsy. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to assess alpha-6 localization. In each section, the percentage of positive cells and the localization of expression were evaluated. RESULTS: All glandular cells expressed alpha-6 in all of the samples but presented two different patterns, either only in the basal side of the cells (polarized) or also in other sides of the cells (depolarized). The percentage of samples showing depolarized expression was significantly higher in the endometriosis group (66.6% vs 15.8%, chi2 =12.09, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The endometria of women with endometriosis more frequently show a depolarized expression of integrin subunit alpha-6, a characteristic usually found in highly proliferating cells with migrating and invasive abilities.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometrium Integrin alpha6 Adult Adult Case-Control Studies Case-Control Studies Cell Movement Cell Movement Cell Polarity Cell Polarity Cell Proliferation Cell Proliferation Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Female

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