Rab Proteins: Insights into Intracellular Trafficking in Endometrium.

Rab proteins belong to the Ras superfamily of small monomeric GTPases. These G proteins are the main controllers of vesicular transport in every tissue, among them, the endometrium. They are in charge of to the functional subcellular compartmentalization and cargo transport between organelles and the plasma membrane. In turn, intracellular trafficking contributes to endometrial changes during the menstrual cycle, secretion to the uterine fluid, and trophoblast implantation; however, few reports analyze the role of Rab proteins in the uterus. In general, Rab proteins control the release of cytokines, growth factors, enzymes, hormones, cell adhesion molecules, and mucus. Further, the secretion of multiple compounds into the uterine cavity is required for successful implantation. Therefore, alterations in Rab-controlled intracellular transport likely impair secretory processes to the uterine fluid that may correlate with abnormal endometrial development and failed reproductive outcomes. Overall, they could explain recurrent miscarriages, female infertility, and/or assisted reproductive failure. Interestingly, estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P) regulate gene expression of Rab proteins involved in secretory pathways. This review aims to gather information regarding the role of Rab proteins and intracellular trafficking in the endometrium during the different menstrual phases, and in the generation of a receptive stage for embryo implantation, modulated by E2 and P. This knowledge might be useful for the development of novel reproductive therapies that overcome low implantation rates of assisted reproductive procedures.

[HBD-1 and hBD-2 are expressed in cervico-vaginal lavage in female genital tract due to microbial infections]. / Ekspresja hBD-1 i hBD-2 w popluczynach pochwowo-szyjkowych z dróg rodnych kobiet w stanach zapalnych wywolanych drobnoustrojami.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare concentration of selected human beta-defensins (hBD-1, hBD-2) in cervico-vaginal lavage (CVL), obtained from women with candidiasis, chlamydiasis and other bacterial infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: beta-defensins were detected quantitatively by RT-PCR (7000 Taqman, Applied Biosystems) in cervico-vaginal lavage collected from 120 (79 women in the study group and 41 controls) non-pregnant women, aged 18-40 (mean age 28.5 +/- 6.29). The study group patients were divided into three subgroups on the basis of clinical and microbiological diagnosis: women with candidiasis (n=13); with chlamydiasis (n=13), and with other bacterial infections (n=12). RESULTS: The highest count of hBD-1 RNA copies was found in women with bacterial infections and candidiasis (335.84 and 320.10 respectively), and hBD-2--with chlamydiasis. The difference between RNA copies of hBD-1/microg in candidiasis, chlamydiasis and bacterial pathogens was statistically significant; for hBD-2 only in case of chlamydiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Chlamydia trachomatis infection activates the production of hBD-2. Candida albicans, Chlamydia trachomatis, and bacterial pathogens induced variable increases of hBD-1 concentration.