Prokineticin 1 mRNA expression in the endometrium of healthy women and in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 93; no. 7; pp. 2145 - 2149
• Main Authors: Tiberi, Federica, B.S, Tropea, Anna, M.D, Apa, Rosanna, M.D, Romani, Federica, M.D, Lanzone, Antonio, M.D, Marana, Riccardo, M.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.05.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; endometriosis; Endometriosis - genetics; Endometriosis - metabolism; Endometriosis - pathology; Endometrium - metabolism; Endometrium - pathology; eutopic endometrium; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Health; Humans; Internal Medicine; Luteal Phase - genetics; Luteal Phase - metabolism; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Obstetrics and Gynecology; PROK1; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Uterine Diseases - genetics; Uterine Diseases - metabolism; Uterine Diseases - pathology; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived - genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived - metabolism; eutopic endometrium; endometriosis; PROK1; Human; Messenger RNA; Gynecology; Uterine diseases; Endometriosis; Female; Woman; Obstetrics; Endometrium; Female genital diseases
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.01.105

Objective To examine prokineticin 1 (PROK1) mRNA expression in eutopic endometrial glands obtained from patients with or without endometriosis, to investigate the presence of additional endometrial abnormalities in women with endometriosis. Design Prospective laboratory study. Setting University hospital. Patients Twelve control women and 12 patients affected by endometriosis in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Intervention(s) Endometrial specimens were obtained from women affected (cases) or not (control group) by endometriosis. Endometrial glands were freshly isolated from endometrial biopsies. Main Outcome Measure(s) PROK1 mRNA expression levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results PROK1 mRNA was detectable in 4 of 12 (33%) samples obtained from women affected by endometriosis, whereas 10 of 12 (83%) samples obtained from normal women were positive for PROK1 detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, detectable PROK1 mRNA levels were 10 times lower in samples obtained from women with endometriosis than in samples obtained from control women. Conclusion(s) PROK1 is a newly discovered angiogenic factor implicated in the vascular function of peri-implantation endometrium and early pregnancy. An altered expression of PROK1 could be one of the several biochemical abnormalities characterizing eutopic endometrium in endometriosis.