Research
Differential expression of extracellular matrix components in the Fallopian tubes throughout the menstrual cycle
1 Centro para el Desarrollo de la Nanociencia y Nanotecnología, Universidad de Santiago, Santiago, Chile
2 Laboratorio de Inmunología de la Reproducción, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago, Santiago, Chile
3 Center for integrative medicine and innovative sciences (CIMIS), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
4 Neisseria Research Group, Sir Henry Wellcome Laboratories, Division of Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, University of Southampton Medical School, Southampton, SO16 6YD, England, UK
5 Servicio de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Hospital San José, Santiago, Chile
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2012, 10:56 doi:10.1186/1477-7827-10-56
Published: 16 August 2012Abstract
Background
One of the unique characteristics of the female genital tract is the extensive tissue remodeling observed throughout the menstrual cycle. Multiple components of the extracellular matrix take part in this tissue rebuilding; however, the individual components involved have not been identified.
Methods
In the present study, the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and selected matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities in Fallopian tubes (FT) throughout the menstrual cycle were examined by PCR array, immunocytochemistry, zymography and bioinformatics.
Results
Of the eighty-four genes analyzed, eighty-three were expressed in the FT during at least one stage of the menstrual cycle. We observed a significant increase (>/=2-fold) in ADAMTS1, ADAMTS13, COL7A1, MMP3, MMP9, PECAM1, and THBS3 in the periovulatory phase compared to the follicular phase. Meanwhile, we observed a significant decrease (>/= 2-fold) in COL7A1, ICAM1, ITGA8, MMP16, MMP9, CLEC3B, SELE and TIMP2 in the lutheal phase compared to the periovulatory phase. Immunocytochemistry showed that MMP-3 and MMP-9 were localized in the endosalpinx during all phases of the menstrual cycle. Gelatin zymograms detected non-cycle-dependent protease activity.
Conclusions
Several extracellular matrix components were regulated throughout the menstrual cycle in a cyclic pattern, suggesting a possible steroid regulation and a role in tissue remodeling and FT functions.
