Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The expression of human alpha and beta defensin in the endometrium and their effect on implantation

  • Physiology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Alpha and beta defensins have been isolated from various human tissues and form an important part of the innate immune system. Their role in implantation of the embryo has not yet been studied. This study was designed to detect both alpha and beta defensins in the mid luteal phase endometrium and investigate the correlation between the defensin expression and implantation of the embryo.

Method and results

An experimental study was designed to detect α defensin (HNP1–3) and β defensin (HBD1) in midluteal phase endometrial samples obtained from women attending the IVF unit at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital, UK. Samples were obtained at least two menstrual cycles before IVF treatment was commenced. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to estimate defensin expression. Some endometrial stromal cells stained positive for HNP1–3 during the midluteal phase. HNP1–3 expression is significantly higher in cases presenting with female factor infertility as compared with purely male factor infertility. A significant increase was not observed in tubal factor or endometriosis when considered separately. Endometrial stromal neutrophils were shown to be the main source of endomatrial HNP1–3. HBD1 was the only beta defensin detected by immunochemical staining in the midluteal phase endometrium. The intensity of staining was significantly different in the endometrial stroma, luminal and glandular epithelia. HBD1 expression is not significantly higher in female factor infertility.

Conclusion

The study confirmed secretion of HNP1–3 by endometrial stromal neutrophils. Glandular epithelium is the main source of HBD1 expression in the human endometrium. HNP1–3 shows increased expression in female factor infertility. HBD1 expression is not higher in female factor infertility. These defensins do not appear to influence implantation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ganz T, Selsted ME, Szklarek D, Harwig SS, Daher K, Bainton DF, et al. Defensins. Natural peptide antibiotics of human neutrophils. J Clin Invest. 1985;76:1427–35.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hoffman JA, Kafatos FC, Janeway CA, Ezekowitz RA. Phylogenetic perspectives in innate immunity. Science. 1999;284:1313–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Schroder JM, Harder J. Human beta-defensin 2. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 1999;31:645–51.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Lehrer A, Lichtenstein A, Ganz T. Defensins: antimicrobial and cytotoxic peptides of mammalian cells. Anuual Rev Immunol. 1993;11:105–28.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Svinarich DM, Wolf NA, Gomez R, Gonik B, Romero R. Detection of human defensin 5 in reproductive tissues. Am J Obstet Gynaecol. 1997;176:470–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Quayle AJ, Porter EM, Nussbaum AA. Gene expression, immunolocalisation and secretion of human defensin-5 in human female reproductive tract. Am J Path. 1998;152(5):1247–58.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bensch KW, Raida M, Magert HJ, Schultz-Knappe P, Forssmann WG. HBD 1: a novel beta-defensin from human plasma. FEBS Lett. 1995;368:331–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bals R, Wang X, Wu Z, Freeman T, Bafna V, Zasloff M, et al. HBD 2 is a salt sensitive peptide antibiotic expressed in human lung. J Clin Invest. 1998;102:874–80.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Harder J, Bartels J, Christophers E, Schroder JM. Isolation and characterisation of human beta-defensin 3, a novel human inducible peptide abtibiotic. J Biol Chem. 2001;275:5707–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Garcia JR, Krause A, Schulz S, Rodriguez-Jimenez J, Kluver E, Adermann K, et al. Human beta-defensin 4: a novel human inducible peptide with a specific salt-sensitive spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Faseb J. 2001;15:1819–21.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. King AE, Fleming DC, Critchley HOD, Kelly RW. Regulation of natural antibiotic expression by inflammatory mediators and mimics of infection in human endometrial epithelial cells. Mol Hum Reprod. 2002;8:341–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. King AE, Fleming DC, Critchley HOD, Kelly RW. Differential expression of natural antimicrobials, beta-defensins 3 and 4, in human endometrium. J Reprod Immunol. 2003a;59:1–16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Fleming DC, King AE, Williams ARW, Critchley HOD, Kelly RW. Hormonal contraception can suppress natural antimicrobial gene transcription in human endometrium. Fertil Steril. 2003;79(4):856–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Bergh PA, Navot D. the impact of embryonic development and endometrial maturity on the timing of implantation. Fertil Steril. 1992;58:537–42.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Murphy CR. The cytoskeleton of uterine epithelial cells: a new player in uterine receptivity and plasma membrane transformation. Hum Reprod Update. 1995;6:567–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Krisanaprakornit S, Weinberg A, Perez CN, Dale BA. Expression of the peptide antibiotic human beta-defensin 1 in cultured gingival epithelial cells and gingival tissue. Infect Immun. 1998;66:4222–8.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Zhao C, Wang I, Lehrer RI. Widespread expression of beta-defensin HBD-1 in human secretory glands and epithelial cells. FEBS Lett. 1996;396:319–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. O’Neil DA, Porter E, Elewaut D, Anderson GM, Eckmann L, Ganz T, Kagnoff MF. Expression and regulation of defensins HBD-1 and HBD-2 in intestinal epithelium. J Immunol. 1999;163:6718–24.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Bulmer JN, Longfellow M, Ritson A. Leucocytes and resident blood cells in endometrium. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1991;622:57–68.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. King A, Loke YW. On the nature and function of human granular lymphocytes. Immunol Today. 1995;12:432–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. King AE, Critchley HOD, Kelly RW. Innate immune defences in the human endometrium. Reprod Biol and Endocrinol. 2003b;1:116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Agerbeth B, Charo J, Werr J, et al. The human antimicrobial and chemotactic peptides LL-37 and α-defensins are expressed by specific lmphocyte and monocyte populations. Blood. 2000;96:3086–93.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Mason DY. Immunocytochemical labelling of monoclonal antibodies by the APAAP immunoalkaline phopsphatase technique. In: Bullock GR, Petrusz P, editors. New York: Academic Press; 1985. pp. 25–42.

  24. Ryley HC. Human antimicrobial peptides. Rev Med Microbiol. 2001;12(3):177–88.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Heine RP, Weisenfeld H, Mortimer L, Greig PC. Amniotic fluid defensins: potential markers of subclinical intrauterine infection. Clin Infect Dis. 1998;27:513–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Hewitt Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool, L8 7SS, UK

    S. Das, I. Lewis-Jones & R. Gazvani

  2. Division of Immunology, School of Infection and Host Defence, Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK

    G. S. Vince

  3. University Department, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Liverpool, UK

    M. D. Bates

Authors
  1. S. Das
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. S. Vince
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. I. Lewis-Jones
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. D. Bates
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. R. Gazvani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Das.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Das, S., Vince, G.S., Lewis-Jones, I. et al. The expression of human alpha and beta defensin in the endometrium and their effect on implantation. J Assist Reprod Genet 24, 533–539 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-007-9173-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-007-9173-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation