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Immunohistochemical alterations of cajal-like type of tubal interstitial cells in women with endometriosis and tubal ectopic pregnancy

  • General Gynecology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the study was to observe alterations of pacemaker cells termed cajal-like type of tubal interstitial cells (t-ICC) in oviduct from early-stage EMs and tEP, discuss underlying mechanisms and potential role in tubal factor infertility (TFI).

Methods

Ten patients with early-stage EMs, 10 with unruptured tEP and 10 control subjects were included in this retrospective comparative study, received adnexectomy (salpingectomy) and/or hysterectomy. Paraffin-embedded full-thickness isthmic segment of oviduct specimens received immunohistochemistry with c-kit/CD117 antibody. Network distribution and area density of cells with features of t-ICC were analyzed.

Results

t-ICC was detected mainly in lamina propria and smooth muscle layers. t-ICC lost its network integrity, became less densely stained, sparse and almost invisible with relatively very rare connections in EMs and tEP, apparently differing in morphology of t-ICC from control, which demonstrated rich t-ICC immunostaining and intact network. Further quantitative analysis showed the area density of t-ICC decreased significantly in early-stage EMs and tEP compared with the control (73.9 ± 8.8 vs. 156 ± 18.3 mm2; and 76 ± 7.4 vs. 156 ± 18.3 mm2; both P < 0.001).

Conclusions

We revealed that t-ICC underwent certain degree of cell damage, suggested that decreased expression of t-ICC network may be involved in early development of EMs and tEP, and might serve as an explanation for TFI in these patients.

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Abbreviations

t-ICC:

Cajal-like type of tubal interstitial cells

EMs:

Endometriosis

tEP:

Tubal ectopic pregnancy

TFI:

Tubal factor infertility

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by Natural Science Foundation of China (to Xiao-Jun Yang, General Program, Project No. 81270679); Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (to Xiao-Jun Yang, General Program, Project No. LY12H04004).

Conflict of interest

Authors indicate that we have no financial relationship with the organizations that sponsored the research. We state that we have had full control of all primary data and that agree to allow the Journal to review data if requested. We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou City, 215006, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China

    Xiao-Jun Yang, Jian-Ying Xu & Zong-Ji Shen

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou City, 325000, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China

    Xiao-Jun Yang

  3. Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou City, 325000, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China

    Jing Zhao

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  1. Xiao-Jun Yang
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  2. Jian-Ying Xu
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Correspondence to Xiao-Jun Yang.

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Yang, XJ., Xu, JY., Shen, ZJ. et al. Immunohistochemical alterations of cajal-like type of tubal interstitial cells in women with endometriosis and tubal ectopic pregnancy. Arch Gynecol Obstet 288, 1295–1300 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-2878-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-2878-9

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