The expression of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and receptors in human endometrium

PROBLEM: To determine the temporal and spatial expression of granulocyte ma crophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and GM-CSF alpha and beta recep tor mRNA and protein in human endometrium. METHOD OF STUDY: The endometrial expression of GM-CSF and GM-CSF receptor m RNA and protein was determined using competitive quantitative reverse trans cription polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR), in situ hybridization, and i mmunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Endometrium expresses GM-CSF and GM-CSF alpha receptor mRNA with m aximal expression occurring during the mid-secretory phase (21.1 +/- 4.2 an d 32.2 +/- 7.7 x 10(6) mRNA copies/mu g total RNA) compared to the prolifer ative phase (1.46 +/- 0.4 and 7.5 +/- 0.5 x 10(6) copies) of the menstrual cycle, with a significant reduction (0.67 +/- 0.1 and 1.7 +/- 0.2 x 10(6) m RNA copies) during the post-menopausal period (P < 0.05). The endometrium e xpresses a significantly lower level of GM-CSF alpha receptor mRNA (approxi mate to 0.01 x 10(5) mRNA copies). Endometrial luminal and glandular epithe lial cells are the primary site of GM-CSF mRNA and protein expression, whil e arteriole endothelial, stromal, and inflammatory cells are the primary si te of GM-CSF alpha receptor protein. GM-CSF beta receptor protein has a sim ilar cellular distribution as GM-CSF. CONCLUSION: Temporal and spatial expression of GM-CSF and GM-CSF receptors in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle suggests that epithelial-de rived GM-CSF in an autocrine/paracrine manner may influence various endomet rial biological activities, local inflammatory response, and macrophage sur vival.