Co-localization of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and mast cell tryptase in the human uterus

The endometrium displays characteristic cyclical changes involving prolifer ation and differentiation, The differentiation that takes place requires ma jor tissue remodelling involving the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family as key enzymes in this process. Mast cells, containing the tryptase and chy mase enzymes that are capable of stimulating the MMP cascade, have been ide ntified in the endometrium, but their role is still unclear. In this study, we observed that the majority of mast cells in the uterus reside in the my ometrium and that they co-express mast cell tryptase and MMP-1 in the same intracellular granules, In endometrium exposed to synthetic progestogen via an intrauterine levonorgestrel system a significant increase in mast cells numbers was observed in women experiencing breakthrough bleeding compared to those in women with no reported bleeding. We conclude that mast cells co ntain MMP-1 and we postulate a potential role for mast cells in breakthroug h bleeding.