Differential expression of integrin alpha V and beta 3 in serosal tissue of human intraperitoneal organs and adhesion

Objective: To assess the expression of integrin alphav and beta3 in the ser osal tissue of intraperitoneal organs and adhesions in persons with and wit hout adhesions. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Academic research centers. Patient(s): Fifiy-seven patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic surgery. Main Outcome Measure(s): Integrin alphav and beta3 messenger RNA (mRNA) exp ression was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chai n reaction. Result(s): The serosal tissue of the parietal peritoneum, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovary, and the large and small bowel, as well as peritoneal adhesio ns, skin, fascia, subcutaneous tissue, and omentum, expresses integrin alph av and beta3 mRNA. The level of alphav and beta3 mRNA expression varied amo ng these tissues; expression of the former substance was highest in uterine serosa and lowest in the skin and small bowel, and expnssion of the latter substance: was highest in the fallopian tubes and skin and lowest in the u terine serosa. Parietal peritoneum and adhesions express equal levels of in tegrin alphav; however, integrin beta3 expression was >100-fold lower in ad hesions than in peritoneum. The level of integrin beta3 expression in oment um, small and large bowels, and subcutaneous tissue was 100-fold to 10,000- fold lower than in other tissues. Conclusion(s): Serosal tissue of peritoneal organs and adhesions express va riable levels of integrin alphav and beta3 mRNA. On the basis of such varia tion and the knowledge that tissue injury alters local integrin expression, integrins may play a key role in adhesion development, particularly in tis sue with higher integrin expression. (Fertil Steril (R) 2001;75:791-6. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).