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Interstitial Cajal-like cells of human Fallopian tube express estrogen and progesterone receptors

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Abstract

Cells of the female reproductive tract are subject to hormonal control via sex steroid genomic receptors expressed at nuclear level. We previously showed that interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLC) of human myometrium expressed estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR). Our aim, based on these results, was to see if ER and/or PR could be found also in tubal ICLC. Indeed, we present here immunohistochemical evidence that ICLC of human Fallopian tube (isthmic region) have such receptors. Stromal ICLC, as well as ICLC among smooth muscle layers, were identified in tissue sections by their morphological features (e.g. several very long, moniliform, prolongations of cell body) as well as by c-kit positivity, vital staining with methylene blue or silver impregnation. Additional evidence was provided by sequential staining for c-kit and for PR on the same cell, by ‘sandwich method’. In vitro, the 4th passage cell cultures from Fallopian tube muscularis exhibiting ICLC morphology showed the presence of ER-alpha and/or PR-A by immunofluorescence. In conclusion, our data suggest that ICLC could function as steroid sensors, and might be implicated in Fallopian tube motility (via gap junctions or juxta- and/or paracrine mechanisms).

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank professor Carmen Ardeleanu, ‘Victor Babeş’ National Institute of Pathology and Dr. Emil Toescu, University of Birmingham, for critical reading of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, P.O.Box 35-29, Bucharest 35, Romania

    Sanda Maria Cretoiu, D. Cretoiu, Laura Suciu & L. M. Popescu

  2. ‘V. Babeş’ National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania

    Sanda Maria Cretoiu, D. Cretoiu, Laura Suciu & L. M. Popescu

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  1. Sanda Maria Cretoiu
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  2. D. Cretoiu
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  4. L. M. Popescu
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Correspondence to L. M. Popescu.

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Cretoiu, S.M., Cretoiu, D., Suciu, L. et al. Interstitial Cajal-like cells of human Fallopian tube express estrogen and progesterone receptors. J Mol Hist 40, 387–394 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10735-009-9252-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10735-009-9252-z

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