Expression of integrin β3 and osteopontin in the eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis during the implantation window

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the expression of integrin β3 and osteopontin (OPN) in the eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis and to characterize possible endometrial defects in adenomyosis.

Study design: Twenty-eight adenomyosis patients and 27 control fertile women were involved in this study. Endometrial samples were collected during the implantation window. Integrin β3 subunits and OPN in the adenomyosis and control endometria were assessed by immunohistochemical staining and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A one-tailed t-test and a non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test were used to test significance.

Results: The mRNA and immunostaining intensity of integrin β3 and OPN were significantly lower in the adenomyosis patients than in the controls.

Conclusions: Abnormal expression of integrin β3 and OPN in the endometrium of adenomyosis may contribute to infertility in some patients.

Keywords: Adenomyosis; Endometriosis; Implantation window; Integrin β3; Osteopontin.