Reduced homeobox protein MSX1 in human endometrial tissue is linked to infertility

STUDY QUESTION Is protein expression of the muscle segment homeobox gene family member MSX1 altered in the human secretory endometrium by cell type, developmental stage or fertility? SUMMARY ANSWER MSX1 protein levels, normally elevated in the secretory phase endometrium, were significantly reduced in endometrial biopsies obtained from women of infertile couples. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Molecular changes in the endometrium are important for fertility in both animals and humans. Msx1 is expressed in the preimplantation mouse uterus and regulates uterine receptivity for implantation. The MSX protein persists a short time, after its message has been down-regulated. Microarray analysis of the human endometrium reveals a similar pattern of MSX1 mRNA expression that peaks before the receptive period, with depressed expression at implantation. Targeted deletion of uterine Msx1 and Msx2 in mice prevents the loss of epithelial cell polarity during implantation and causes infertility. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE DURATION MSX1 mRNA and cell type-specific levels of MSX1 protein were quantified from two retrospective cohorts during the human endometrial cycle. MSX1 protein expression patterns were compared between fertile and infertile couples. Selected samples were dual-labeled by immunofluorescence microscopy to localize E-cadherin and β-catenin in epithelial cells. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING METHODS MSX1 mRNA was quantified by PCR in endometrium from hysterectomies (n = 14) determin...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Tags: Infertility Source Type: research