Endometrial receptivity: expression of alpha3beta1, alpha4beta1 and alphaVbeta1 endometrial integrins in women with impaired fertility.

ABSTRACT

Advances in immunohistochemical methods with the specificity of poly- and monoclonal antibodies allow the description of the endometrial receptivity, which is characterized by the ability of secretion of phase specific proteins and glikoproteins by epithelial and stromal cells. We studied the differences in the expression of alpha3beta1, alpha4beta1 and alphaVbeta1 integrins in endometrium of women with recurrent miscarriages and women with unexplained infertility. The endometrial tissue was collected during hysteroscopy performed between 7th and 9th day after ovulation. The immunohistochemical evaluation of alpha3beta1, alpha4beta1 and alphaVbeta1 integrin expression was determined in all endometrial biopsies. Staining intensity of alpha3beta1 in glandular epithelium and endometrial stroma was similar in both groups. In women with recurrent miscarriages we noted a lower concentrations of the alpha4beta1 and alphaVbeta1 integrins during the midluteal phase than in women with unexplained infertility. Moreover, integrins alpha4beta1 and alphaVbeta1 were expressed more frequently in glandular epithelium and endometrial stroma of women with unexplained infertility than those of women with recurrent miscarriages. However, alphaV(2)1 staining in endometrial stroma was stronger than that of alpha4beta1. It can be concluded, that these integrins may play an important role in the implantation process.