[Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in human endometrium, decidua and trophoblast cells].

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in human normal endometrium, decidua and trophoblast cells of early pregnancy, and to explore the effect of EGFR on cell proliferation and development.

METHODS

To localize the EGFR expression in glandular and stromal cells of normal endometrium, decidua with immunohistochemical method (ABC), and to analyse the related quantity of EGFR mRNA by RT-PCR method.

RESULTS

There were EGFR expression in both normal endometrium and decidua. EGFR protein located on cell membrane, nuclear membrane and in the cytoplasm as well, and located in the neuclear of glandular and stromal cells in decidua. The expression of EGFR in glandular cells was significantly stronger than that in the stroma (P < 0.05), while there was no difference of EGFR expression in the glands during the menstrual cycle (P > 0.05). However, the expression of EGFR in the glands of decidua was significantly higher than that in the proliferative and secretory endometrium (P < 0.05). The intensity of staining in stromal cells listed in order from the strongest was early decidua > secretory endometrium > proliferative endometrium, the differences were significant (P < 0.05). The related quantity of EGFR mRNA expression in proliferative, secretory endometrium, decidua and trophoblasts were: 0.531 +/- 0.061, 0.594 +/- 0.121, 0.732 +/- 0.032, 0.828 +/- 0.034, respectively. There was no difference during the menstrual cycle, but that in the decidua and trophoblasts were significantly higher than that in the proliferative and secretory endometrium (P < 0.05), and that in the trophoblasts was the highest.

CONCLUSION

EGFR expression was present in the proliferative and secretory endometrium, decidua and trophoblasts of early pregnancy, and it was significantly higher in the decidua and trophoblasts than that during the menstrual cycle.