Immunohistochemical alterations of cajal-like type of tubal interstitial cells in women with endometriosis and tubal ectopic pregnancy

Purpose The aim of the study was to observe alterations of pacemaker cells termed cajal-like type of tubal interstitial cells (t-ICC) in oviduct from early-stage EMs and tEP, discuss underlying mechanisms and potential role in tubal factor infertility (TFI). Methods Ten patients with early-stage EMs...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of gynecology and obstetrics 2013-12, Vol.288 (6), p.1295-1300
Main Authors: Yang, Xiao-Jun, Xu, Jian-Ying, Shen, Zong-Ji, Zhao, Jing
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Animals
Case-Control Studies
Endocrinology
Endometriosis
Endometriosis - pathology
Fallopian Tubes - chemistry
Fallopian Tubes - metabolism
Female
General Gynecology
Gynecology
Histocytochemistry
Human Genetics
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Interstitial Cells of Cajal - immunology
Interstitial Cells of Cajal - metabolism
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Mucous Membrane - metabolism
Obstetrics/Perinatology/Midwifery
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Tubal
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - immunology
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - metabolism
Retrospective Studies
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Summary:Purpose The aim of the study was to observe alterations of pacemaker cells termed cajal-like type of tubal interstitial cells (t-ICC) in oviduct from early-stage EMs and tEP, discuss underlying mechanisms and potential role in tubal factor infertility (TFI). Methods Ten patients with early-stage EMs, 10 with unruptured tEP and 10 control subjects were included in this retrospective comparative study, received adnexectomy (salpingectomy) and/or hysterectomy. Paraffin-embedded full-thickness isthmic segment of oviduct specimens received immunohistochemistry with c-kit/CD117 antibody. Network distribution and area density of cells with features of t-ICC were analyzed. Results t-ICC was detected mainly in lamina propria and smooth muscle layers. t-ICC lost its network integrity, became less densely stained, sparse and almost invisible with relatively very rare connections in EMs and tEP, apparently differing in morphology of t-ICC from control, which demonstrated rich t-ICC immunostaining and intact network. Further quantitative analysis showed the area density of t-ICC decreased significantly in early-stage EMs and tEP compared with the control (73.9 ± 8.8 vs. 156 ± 18.3 mm 2 ; and 76 ± 7.4 vs. 156 ± 18.3 mm 2 ; both P  
ISSN:0932-0067
1432-0711
DOI:10.1007/s00404-013-2878-9