Expression Of Mast Cells,VEGF,TSP And Ultrastructure Of Capillaries In The Normal Human Endometrium

Objectives: 1. Using immunohistochemistry and image analysis technique to study the expression of mast cells, VEGF and TSP in the normal human endometrium during the proliferative phase, secretory phase and postmenopause. 2. Using elecrtron microscopy to study the ultrastructure of the capillaries in the normal human endometrium, especially their cell-to-cell communication with neighboring cells in the basalis and functionalis layer.Methods: 40 samples were divided into three groups by menstrual cycle (proliferative phase n=15, secretory phase n=15, postmenopause n=10). Mast cells' tryptase , VEGF Ab-7 and TSP Ab-4 monoclonal antibody were used to detect MC, VEGF and TSP in the normal human endometrium. The expression and staining intensity were evaluated by image analysis technique. Electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of capillaries in 9 samples (proliferative phase n=3, secretory phase n=3, postmenopause n=3), especially their structural variations between the basalis and functionalis layer.Results:1. Tryptase was expressed in the cytoplasm of the mast cells. Counting MC number in basalis layer: there was no statistical difference among early proliferative phase,middle or late proliferative and middle or late secretory phase ( 8. 03 ± 1.88, 8. 06 ±1. 13, 9. 56 ±1.91, P>0. 05 ); and there was statistical diversity in early secretory and menopause ( 5. 20 ± 0. 94, 1. 32± 0. 39, P<0. 05).2. VEGF and TSP were localized in the cytoplasm of the glandular epithelial cells and surrounding stroma, as well as in the vascular endothelial cells. No significant difference of staining intensity of VEGF and TSP could be seen between the endometrium of proliferative phase and secretory phase (P>0.05 ). But they were reduced obviously in the menopausal endometrium (p<0.05 ).3. Endothelial cells were rich in cytoplasmic projections and there was no obvious ultrastructural diffenence between proliferative and secretory endometrium. There were more cell-to-cell communications in basalis layer than in functionalis layer of endometrium. While in the postmenopause, the membrane of endothelial cells was more smooth and the number of cytoplasmic projections decreased sharply.Conclution:1. The number of mast cells in proliferative phase and middle or late secretory phase is more than that in early secretory phase, and it decreases significantly in menopausal endometrium.2. The expression of VEGF and TSP in endometrium of proliferative and secretory phase is stronger than that in menopause.3. Cyclical angiogenesis in endometrium is a complex process and regulated commonly by mast cells, VEGF, TSP and more other factors.4. More cell-to-cell communications in basalis layer than functionalis layer might be related with the cyclical regenerations of endometrium.