A. Akoum et al., Immunohistochemical localization of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues, FERT STERIL, 72(6), 1999, pp. 1085-1092
Objective: To evaluate the expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding
protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in the eutopic endometrium and in endometriotic lesion
s.
Design: Retrospective immunohistochemical study.
Patient(s): Twenty-five normal women and 39 women with endometriosis.
Intervention(s): Endometrial and endometriotic tissue biopsies obtained at
laparoscopy.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Expression of IGFBP-3 assessed by immunohistochemi
stry.
Result(s): In the endometrium, positive immunostaining of IGFBP-3 was obser
ved both in the stroma and the epithelial glands. The intensity of staining
in the glands during the secretory phase was significantly higher in women
with endometriosis compared with controls (P = .018). An increased express
ion of IGFBP-3 over controls was found in stages I and II of the disease (P
= .018), whereas in stages III and IV, the difference between controls and
women with endometriosis was not significant (P = .300). In endometriotic
tissues, a much-marked immunostaining of IGFBP-3 was noted in 90% of the gl
ands and 67% of the stroma without apparent differences related to cycle ph
ase.
Conclusion(s): These data show intense staining of IGFBP-3 in endometriosis
lesions and increased expression of the protein in the endometrium of pati
ents with endometriosis compared to controls. This marked expression of IGF
BP-3 could be related to its previous finding in the peritoneal fluid and t
o its potential involvement in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. (C) 19
99 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.