Regulation of bcl-2 gene family members in human endometrium by antiprogestin administration in vivo
in ReproductionSearch for other papers by H. O. D. Critchley in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by S. Tong in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by S. T. Cameron in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by T. A. Drudy in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by R. W. Kelly in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by D. T. Baird in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
It is likely that the changes which occur in the endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle involve apoptosis, and that expression of associated genes, such as the bcl-2 family, are regulated by sex steroids. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of bcl-2, Bax and oestrogen receptor proteins in secretory endometrium collected from ten patients with normal ovulatory cycles 4 or 6 days after the LH surge, and on the same days in a subsequent cycle in which the formation of secretory changes was inhibited by the administration of the antiprogestin mifepristone (RU486) 2 days after the onset of the LH surge. Since some stromal cells display positive immunoreactivity, leucocyte subpopulations of macrophages (CD68-positive) and large granular lymphocytes (CD56-positive) were identified in serial sections. After administration of mifepristone on day 2 after the LH surge, a significant increase in bcl-2 immunoreactivity was observed in glandular and surface epithelium. A positive correlation (0.874) with nuclear oestrogen receptor immunoreactivity in endometrial glands was demonstrated. Subsets of stromal cells, identified as CD68-positive macrophages and CD56-positive large granular lymphocytes displayed positive immunoreactivity for the bcl-2 epitope, which was unaffected by mifepristone administration. Bax immunostaining was similar in control and antiprogestin-treated endometrium. These data indicate that antiprogestin administration inhibits progesterone downregulation of steroid receptors in endometrial glands, resulting in persistence of a proliferative endometrium and accompanying bcl-2 secretion.
Reproduction is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 181 | 57 | 8 |
| PDF Downloads | 83 | 28 | 2 |
Online ISSN: 1741-7899
Print ISSN: 1470-1626
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519