Involvement of small leucine-rich proteoglycans and telocytes in thin and thick human endometrium: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination

Ultrastruct Pathol. 2023 Oct 16:1-11. doi: 10.1080/01913123.2023.2270660. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThin endometrium, defined as an endometrial thickness of less than 7 mm during the late follicular phase, is a common cause of frequent cancelation of embryo transfers or recurrent implantation failure during assisted reproductive treatment. Small proteoglycans regulate intracellular signaling cascades by bridging other matrix molecules and tissue elements, affecting cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and cytokine concentration. The aim of the study is to investigate the role of small leucine-rich proteoglycans in the pathogenesis of thin and thick human endometrium and their differences from normal endometrium in terms of fine structure properties. Normal, thin, and thick endometrial samples were collected, and small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs), decorin, lumican, biglycan, and fibromodulin immunoreactivities were comparatively analyzed immunohistochemically. The data were compared statistically. Moreover, ultrastructural differences among the groups were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. The immunoreactivities of decorin, lumican, and biglycan were higher in the thin endometrial glandular epithelium and stroma compared to the normal and thick endometrium (p < .001). Fibromodulin immunoreactivity was also higher in the thin endometrial glandular epithelium than in the normal and thick endometrium (p < .001). However, there was no statistical ...

Source: Ultrastructural Pathology - October 16, 2023 Category: Pathology Authors: Ozlem Karabay Akgul Tugba Ekiz-Yilmaz Source Type: research