Networks of E-cadherin, β1 integrin, and focal adhesion kinase in the pathogenesis of tubal pregnancy

Abstract

E-cadherin, β1 integrin, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) are reported to involved in eutopic implantation by mediating cell adhesion. However, less is documented about their roles in ectopic implantation. This study was undertaken to evaluate the roles and networks of E-cadherin, β1 integrin, and FAK in tubal pregnancy. A total of 31 Fallopian tube specimens were obtained from tubal pregnant women. Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to analyze the distributions and levels of E-cadherin, β1 integrin and phosphorylated-FAK (Pho-FAK) in the Fallopian tube epithelium. Normal Fallopian tube samples derived from non-pregnant women with benign genital diseases were used for comparison. E-cadherin presented in the cytomembrane of tubal epithelial cells and β1 integrin mainly expressed in the cytoplasm. A lowest-level of E-cadherin was detected in the implantation site (0.63 ± 0.29) when compared with the non-implantation site (0.95 ± 0.37) and the controls (0.89 ± 0.33) (P < 0.05). β1 integrin, as well as Pho-FAK in the implantation site (0.81 ± 0.35; 0.72 ± 0.24), showed a higher-level than that in the non-implantation site (0.59 ± 0.26; 0.48 ± 0.27) or the control group (0.38 ± 0.19; 0.36 ± 0.25) (p < .05). The decreased E-cadherin and increased β1 integrin are implicated in tubal pregnancy. The involvement of β1 integrin maybe depends on β1 integrin/FAK signaling.

摘要

据报道, E-钙粘蛋白, β1整合素和粘着斑激酶(FAK)通过调解细胞粘附作用参与宫内妊娠胚胎植入。但是它们在异位妊娠胚胎植入方面的作用几乎没有记载。本研究旨在评估E-钙粘蛋白、β1整合素和FAK在输卵管妊娠中的作用。研究中从输卵管妊娠的患者中共取得31份输卵管标本。通过免疫组织化学和蛋白质印迹分析输卵管上皮细胞中E-钙粘蛋白, β1整合素和磷酸化FAK（Pho-FAK）的分布和水平。以非妊娠期患者因良性生殖道疾病而获得的正常输卵管组织作为对照。E-钙粘蛋白存在于输卵管上皮细胞的细胞膜中, β1整合素主要在细胞质中表达。与无胚胎植入部位（0.95±0.37）和对照组（0.89±0.33）相比, 在有胚胎植入部位检测到的E-钙粘蛋白水平最低（0.63±0.29）（P <0.05）。β1整合素和Pho-FAK在胚胎植入部位的水平（0.81±0.35; 0.72±0.24）均高于无胚胎植入部位（0.59±0.26; 0.48±0.27）或对照组（ 0.38±0.19; 0.36±0.25）（p <.05）。E-钙粘蛋白降低和β1整合素增加与输卵管妊娠有关。β1整合素的与输卵管妊娠中的作用可能取决于β1整合素/ FAK的信号表达。

The Chinese abstracts are translated by Prof. Dr. Xiangyan Ruan and her team: Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100026, China.

Keywords:

• E-cadherin
• β1 integrin
• focal adhesion kinase
• Fallopian tube
• tubal pregnancy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.