Immunohistochemical characterization of endometriosis-associated smooth muscle cells in human peritoneal endometriotic lesions

M. L. Barcena de Arellano, Maria L Barcena de Arellano, Maria Luisa Barcena, Jessica Gericke, Uta Reichelt, A. F. Okuducu, Ali Fuat Okuducu, Andreas D Ebert, Vito Chiàntera, Vito Chiantera, A Schneider, Achim Schneider, Sylvia Mechsner
Human Reproduction · 2011 · vol. 26(10) , pp. 2721–2730 · doi:10.1093/humrep/der253 · PMID:21831994 · W2162489609
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Smooth muscle cells in peritoneal endometriotic lesions expressed oxytocin receptor, vasopressin receptor, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor, suggesting functional activity and a potential role in endometriosis-associated pain.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Smooth muscle cells (SMC) are common components of endometriotic lesions. SMC have been characterized previously in peritoneal, ovarian and deep infiltrating endometriotic lesions and adenomyosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the extent of differentiation in endometriosis-associated SMC (EMaSMC) in peritoneal endometriotic lesions. METHODS: We obtained biopsies from peritoneal endometriotic lesions (n = 60) and peritoneal sites distant from the endometriotic lesion (n = 60), as well as healthy peritoneum from patients without endometriosis (control tissue, n = 10). These controls were hysterectomy specimens from patients without endometriosis or adenomyosis. Histopathological examination of peritoneal specimens using antibodies against oxytocin receptor (OTR), vasopressin receptor (VPR), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC), estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR) was performed. To identify SMC and their level of differentiation, antibodies for smooth muscle actin desmin and caldesmon were used. RESULTS: SMC were detected in all endometriotic lesions. SMC were more abundant in unaffected peritoneum of women with endometriosis (38%) compared with women without endometriosis (6%; P < 0.0001). Depending on the level of differentiation, SMC stained for SM-MHC, OTR, VPR, ER and PR. OTR was only detected in fully differentiated SMC. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of OTR, VPR, ER and PR leads to the hypothesis that the EMaSMC might be functionally active and possibly involved in the generation of pain associated with endometriosis.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosisadenomyosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Gene Expression Regulation Immunohistochemistry Muscle, Smooth Peritoneum Adult Biopsy Biopsy Cell Differentiation Endometriosis Female Humans Immunohistochemistry Middle Aged Muscle, Smooth Myosin Heavy Chains Myosin Heavy Chains Peritoneum Premenopause Receptors, Estrogen

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