Changes in epidermal growth factor receptor and the levels of its ligands during menstrual cycle in human endometrium

Abstract

We examined menstrual cycle-dependent changes in the expression of human endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor α (TGFα), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and their mRNA using immunoblot analysis, 125I-EGF binding, and competitive reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We also studied their localization in the endometrial tissue by immunohistochemistry. Endometrial samples were obtained at three stages of menstruation: the early follicular stage, which exhibits low serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels; the late follicular stage, which exhibits high E2 and low P levels; and the luteal stage, which exhibits high E2 and P levels. Immunohistochemical examination showed that EGF, TGFα, and EGFR were localized to the endometrial epithelium. Immunoblot analysis revealed that endometrial EGF, TGFα, and EGFR levels were significantly (p < 0.01) increased at the late follicular and luteal stages compared to the early follicular stage 125I- EGF-specific binding levels at the late follicular and luteal stages were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than at the early follicular stage, consistent with the results of immunoblot analysis. Competitive RT-PCR revealed that EGF, TGFα, and EGFR mRNA levels were significantly (p < 0.01) higher at the late follicular and luteal stages than at the early follicular stage. Changes in EGF, TGFα, and EGFR mRNA levels were consistent with changes in protein levels. These findings suggest that synthesis and expression of human endometrial EGF, TGFα, and EGFR vary with the stage of the menstrual cycle and that their expression in the human endometrium is associated with the increase in the serum E2 but not with the increase in P levels.