Oxytocin receptor expression in smooth muscle cells of peritoneal endometriotic lesions and ovarian endometriotic cysts.

Oxytocin receptor expression in smooth muscle cells of peritoneal endometriotic lesions and ovarian endometriotic cysts.
Authors
Mechsner S, Bartley J, Loddenkemper C, et al.
Institution
Endometriosis Research Center Berlin, Department of Gynecology, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany.

Source
Fertil Steril 2005 Apr.:1220-31.
Abstract
To investigate the expression of oxytocin receptor (OTR) in peritoneal and ovarian endometriotic lesions.Retrospective nonrandomized study.University hospital endometriosis research center.Premenopausal women with histologically confirmed endometriosis were selected. Peritoneal endometriotic lesions (n = 120); ovarian endometriotic cysts (n = 40); peritoneal biopsies, distant from the endometriotic lesion (n = 55); and unaffected peritoneal biopsies from patients without endometriosis (n = 11) were obtained. Hysterectomy specimens from patients without endometriosis and/or adenomyosis were used for controls (n = 10).Histopathological examination of peritoneal and ovarian specimens for OTR expression and identification of smooth muscle cells by immunohistochemistry staining with antibodies against OTR and smooth muscle actin. In addition, Western blot analysis, double-immunofluorescence, and in vitro studies with primary cell cultures have been performed.Comparison of the immunoreactive score of the OTR and smooth muscle actin expression with the smooth muscle content in peritoneum with and without endometriosis.In the epithelial cells of endometriotic lesions, we could demonstrate a high OTR expression. The stromal cells were OTR negative with the exception of some single cells. By using a monoclonal anti-smooth muscle actin antibody, these cells could be identified as intrastromal OTR-positive smooth muscle cells. The peritoneum of women with endometriosis shows a significantly higher smooth muscle content than the peritoneum of women without endometriosis. There were no significant differences between the smooth muscle content of active or inactive lesions and the stage of disease.Oxytocin receptor is expressed in smooth muscle cells and epithelial cells of peritoneal endometriotic lesions and ovarian endometriotic cysts. The inhibition of OTR by specific inhibitors might be a useful approach for the treatment of endometriosis-associated pain.

Mesh
Adult
Blotting, Western
Endometrium
Female
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Humans
Metaplasia
Middle Aged
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle
Myometrium
Ovarian Cysts
Peritoneum
Receptors, Oxytocin

Language
eng

Pub Type(s)
Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PubMed ID
15831296
http://www.unboundmedicine.com/anesthesia/ub/citation/15831296/Oxytocin_receptor_expression_in_smooth_muscle_cells_of_peritoneal_endometriotic_lesions_and_ovarian_endometriotic_cysts_