open access

Vol 51, No 2 (2013)
Original paper
Submitted: 2013-03-25
Accepted: 2013-06-16
Published online: 2013-08-02
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Correlation of the expression of heparanase and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor in the implantation window of nonconceptual cycle endometrium

Przemysław Krzysztof Wirstlein, Mateusz Mikołajczyk, Jana Skrzypczak
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2013.0020
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2013;51(2):127-134.

open access

Vol 51, No 2 (2013)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2013-03-25
Accepted: 2013-06-16
Published online: 2013-08-02

Abstract

Although it was suggested that heparanase (HPSE) may affect implantation and pregnancy, so far there have been no wide-ranging studies on the expression of and possible disturbances in the interactions between HPSE, heparan sulfate (HS) and related growth factors, such as heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the expression profile of both HPSE and HB-EGF can be associated with impaired reproduction in the endometrial implantation window, in the non-conception cycle. The study group consisted of 32 women with two or more unexplained, consecutive miscarriages, and 61 idiopathic infertility patients, while the control comprised of 22 women with normal reproductive potential. We compared the expression of HB-EGF and HPSE at the transcript (qPCR) and protein (Western Blot) levels in eutopic endometrium. Also assessed were correlations between both factors in the studied groups. In women with consecutive miscarriages we observed lower HPSE relative transcript (p = 0.003) and lower protein (p = 0.002) level compared with the control group. Level of the HB-EGF protein was decreased (p = 0.017). HPSE mRNA level was higher in idiopathic infertility (p = 0.003) compared with women with miscarriages. We found statistically significant correlations in both transcript and protein levels in all groups (p < 0.05). Our results allow the assumption of the existence of a process by which, in normal human endometrium, HB-EGF expression coincides with the synthesis of HPSE. As a result, the HB-EGF molecule can bind to the HS on the cell surface, enhancing its affinity to the receptor. Then, the release of growth factors associated with HS oligomers occurs that is catalyzed by HPSE. We suggest that one of the causes of unexplained miscarriages may result from the impaired expression of HPSE and HB-EGF.

Abstract

Although it was suggested that heparanase (HPSE) may affect implantation and pregnancy, so far there have been no wide-ranging studies on the expression of and possible disturbances in the interactions between HPSE, heparan sulfate (HS) and related growth factors, such as heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the expression profile of both HPSE and HB-EGF can be associated with impaired reproduction in the endometrial implantation window, in the non-conception cycle. The study group consisted of 32 women with two or more unexplained, consecutive miscarriages, and 61 idiopathic infertility patients, while the control comprised of 22 women with normal reproductive potential. We compared the expression of HB-EGF and HPSE at the transcript (qPCR) and protein (Western Blot) levels in eutopic endometrium. Also assessed were correlations between both factors in the studied groups. In women with consecutive miscarriages we observed lower HPSE relative transcript (p = 0.003) and lower protein (p = 0.002) level compared with the control group. Level of the HB-EGF protein was decreased (p = 0.017). HPSE mRNA level was higher in idiopathic infertility (p = 0.003) compared with women with miscarriages. We found statistically significant correlations in both transcript and protein levels in all groups (p < 0.05). Our results allow the assumption of the existence of a process by which, in normal human endometrium, HB-EGF expression coincides with the synthesis of HPSE. As a result, the HB-EGF molecule can bind to the HS on the cell surface, enhancing its affinity to the receptor. Then, the release of growth factors associated with HS oligomers occurs that is catalyzed by HPSE. We suggest that one of the causes of unexplained miscarriages may result from the impaired expression of HPSE and HB-EGF.

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Keywords

heparanase, HB-EGF, recurrent miscarriage, idiopathic infertility, implantation

About this article
Title

Correlation of the expression of heparanase and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor in the implantation window of nonconceptual cycle endometrium

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 51, No 2 (2013)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

127-134

Published online

2013-08-02

Page views

1689

Article views/downloads

1884

DOI

10.5603/FHC.2013.0020

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2013;51(2):127-134.

Keywords

heparanase
HB-EGF
recurrent miscarriage
idiopathic infertility
implantation

Authors

Przemysław Krzysztof Wirstlein
Mateusz Mikołajczyk
Jana Skrzypczak

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