The expression of integrins and cadherins in normal human uterus and uterine leiomyomas.

OBJECTIVES

Our purpose was to examine the pattern of integrin and cadherin expression in the normal human uterus and uterine leiomyomas.

STUDY DESIGN

Nonpathologic myometrium and endometrium and uterine leiomyoma tissues were collected during hysterectomy. The pattern of integrin and cadherin expression displayed by these tissues was assessed by use of immunohistochemical staining. A transformed leiomyoma cell line was assessed for expression of integrins and cadherins with flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The human myometrium was found to express numerous integrins and cadherins in a cell-specific manner, differing among smooth muscle cells, stromal cells, and endothelial cells. An identical pattern was seen in uterine leiomyomas. In contrast to the endometrium, expression of integrins and cadherins in the myometrium remained constant throughout the menstrual cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

This article characterizes the expression of integrins and cadherins in the human uterus. In contrast to many tumors, the growth and development of leiomyomas are not associated with a fundamental change in expression of these cell adhesion molecules. The mechanisms regulating expression of integrins in myometrium and endometrium must be different.