Simms J S, Chegini N, Williams R S, Rossi A M, Dunn W A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Obstet Gynecol. 1991 Nov;78(5 Pt 1):850-7.
The present immunohistochemical studies used polyclonal antibodies specific to epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), and monoclonal antibodies to the extracellular binding domain of EGF receptor to elucidate their presence and cellular distribution in surgically induced endometriosis in the rat. Uterine segments were implanted in the mesenteric region adjacent to a blood vessel for a period of 4-6 weeks. During operative reexploration, the implanted tissues were intact, morphologically similar to the controls, and consisted of a cyst containing clear fluid and associated adhesion formation. All the uterine cell types immunostained with antibody to EGF. The highest immunostaining intensity was associated with inflammatory cells infiltrated among endometrial stromal cells, followed by luminal and glandular epithelial and stromal cells. The cysts consisted of an inner simple columnar epithelium, surrounded by several layers of smooth muscle and connective tissue. The cyst epithelial layer immunostained weakly, while the supporting wall stained moderately. The inflammatory cells found within the cyst cavity immunostained very intensely, comparable to those in the endometrium. The patterns of immunostaining for TGF-alpha and EGF receptor were similar to that observed for EGF. Myometrial smooth-muscle cells and endothelial and smooth-muscle cells of arterioles were also immunostained for EGF, TGF-alpha, and EGF receptor, but with lower intensity than that of the endometrium. These observations suggest that, like normal uterine tissue, endometrial implants produce EGF and TGF-alpha locally and contain receptors for EGF. These results imply a possible paracrine or autocrine role for growth factors in the establishment and/or maintenance of endometriotic tissue.
本免疫组织化学研究使用针对表皮生长因子（EGF）、转化生长因子-α（TGF-α）的多克隆抗体，以及针对EGF受体细胞外结合域的单克隆抗体，以阐明它们在大鼠手术诱导的子宫内膜异位症中的存在情况和细胞分布。将子宫段植入靠近血管的肠系膜区域，持续4至6周。在再次手术探查期间，植入组织完整，形态与对照相似，由一个含有清亮液体的囊肿和相关粘连形成组成。所有子宫细胞类型均用抗EGF抗体进行免疫染色。免疫染色强度最高的是浸润在子宫内膜基质细胞中的炎性细胞，其次是腔面和腺上皮细胞及基质细胞。囊肿由内层单层柱状上皮组成，周围有几层平滑肌和结缔组织。囊肿上皮层免疫染色较弱，而支撑壁染色中等。囊肿腔内发现的炎性细胞免疫染色非常强烈，与子宫内膜中的炎性细胞相当。TGF-α和EGF受体的免疫染色模式与EGF观察到的相似。子宫肌层平滑肌细胞以及小动脉的内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞也对EGF、TGF-α和EGF受体进行了免疫染色，但强度低于子宫内膜。这些观察结果表明，与正常子宫组织一样，子宫内膜植入物在局部产生EGF和TGF-α，并含有EGF受体。这些结果暗示生长因子在子宫内膜异位组织的建立和/或维持中可能具有旁分泌或自分泌作用。
