The Immune Environment in Human Endometrium during the Window of Implantation.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
  • Additional Information
    • Abstract:
      PROBLEM: Changes in the immune environment in the endometrium are believed to be important for successful implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. We have previously investigated global gene profiling in human endometrium during the window of implantation by oligonucleotide microarray technology, and analysis of these data underscore the regulation of a group of immune-related genes. The present study was therefore conducted to examine the pattern of expression and regulation of these genes including decay accelerating factor (DAF), indoleamine 2, 3 dioxygenase (IDO), interleukin-15 (IL-15), IL-15 receptor alpha subunit (IL-15R α , interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1), lymphotactin (Lpn), natural killer-associated transcript 2 (NKAT2)and NKG5 in secretory and proliferative human endometrium. METHOD OF STUDY: Endometrial biopsies were obtained from normally cycling women in the late proliferative and mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern blot analysis were used to determine the expression and regulation of these genes in secretory and proliferative human endometrium. Cellular localization of NKG5, Lpn and IDO by in situ hybridization in secretory-phase endometrium was also examined. RESULTS: Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern blot results demonstrate that there is a coordinated upregulation of this group of genes during the window of implantation. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the upregulation of immune-related genes IL-15R a Lpn and NKG5 in secretory versus proliferative human endometrium. We also demonstrate a similar upregulation in secretory endometrium of other immune-related genes, viz, DAF, IDO, IL-15, IRF-1 and NKAT2. The functions of these genes include stimulation of proliferation of uterine natural killer (uNK)cells, inhibition of cytolytic activity of uNK cells, inhibition of cell growth of T cells and other pathogens and inhibition of the... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
    • Abstract:
      Copyright of American Journal of Reproductive Immunology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)