Correlation between replicative senescence of endometrial gland epithelial cells in shedding and non-shedding endometria and endometriosis cyst during menstruation

Abstract

To investigate correlation between abnormal replicative senescence of endometrial gland epithelial cells (EGECs) in shedding and non-shedding endometria and endometriosis cyst during menstruation. Musashi-1 expression, β-catenin expression, and EGECs ultrastructure in shedding and non-shedding endometrium when menstruation were observed through real-time PCR and transmission electron microscopy technologies. (1) Musashi-1 and β-catenin exhibited a high expression in shedding and non-shedding endometria in experimental group, showing a positive correlation between each other; and were significantly higher than that in control group. However; there was no correlation between these two in control group. (2) Transmission electron microscopy results: In experimental group, organelles in EGECs in shedding endometrium obtained were abundant on the first day of menstruation, nuclei were irregular, double nucleoli could be observed, and chromatin was rich. Furthermore, morphology of EGECs in non-shedding endometrium was irregular, organelles were abundant, basement membrane was irregular with abnormal curvature, and a large amount of collagenic fibers were found in intercellular spaces. On the fifth day of menstruation, the cilia and microvilli on secretory cells in endometrium increased and prolongated, and organelles became extremely rich. EGECs have potentials of division, proliferation, invasion and migration; and is associated with formation of endometriosis cysts.

摘要

本研究目的是探究月经期间脱落和未脱落子宫内膜腺上皮细胞（endometrial gland epithelial cells, EGECs）的异常复制衰老与子宫内膜异位囊肿的相关性。通过实时PCR和透射电子显微镜技术观察月经期间脱落和未脱落子宫内膜中Musashi-1和β-catenin的表达以及EGECs的超微结构。（1）Musashi-1和β-catenin在实验组脱落和未脱落子宫内膜中存在高表达, 两者呈正相关, 并且显著高于对照组。然而, 在对照组中这两者之间无相关性。（2）透射电镜结果：实验组在月经第一天获得的脱落子宫内膜中EGECs所含的细胞器丰富, 细胞核不规则, 可见双核仁, 染色质丰富。此外, 在未脱落的子宫内膜中EGECs形态不规则, 细胞器丰富, 基底膜不规则, 曲率异常, 细胞间隙存在大量胶原纤维。在月经第5天, 子宫内膜分泌细胞上的纤毛和微绒毛增多并延长, 细胞器变得极为丰富。EGECs具有分裂、增殖、侵袭和迁移的潜力, 并且与子宫内膜异位囊肿的形成有关。

Keywords:

• Cell replicative senescence
• endometrial cyst
• shedding endometrium
• non-shedding endometrium
• Musashi-1
• β-catenin

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Table 1. Comparison of the relative expression of Musashi-1/β-actin and β-catenin/β-actin in the each group (x¯±S).

Table 2. Correlation analysis of Musashi-1/β-actin and β-catenin/β-actin relative expression in the each group.

Table 3. Transmission electron microscopy results.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by Medical Scientific Research Projects of Health and Family Planning Committee of Inner Mongolia (201301042).