Distribution of extracellular matrix molecules in human uterine tubes during the menstrual cycle: a histological and immunohistochemical analysis

Abstract

The uterine tube (UT) is an important and complex organ of the women's reproductive system. In general, the anatomy and basic histology of this organ are well-known. However, the composition and function of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the UT is still poorly understood. The ECM is a complex supramolecular material produced by cells which is commonly restricted to the basement membrane and interstitial spaces. ECM molecules play not only a structural role, they are also important for cell growth, survival and differentiation in all tissues. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the deposition and distribution of type I and III collagens and proteoglycans (decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin and versican) in human UT during the follicular and luteal phases by using histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Our results showed a broad synthesis of collagens (I and III) in the stroma of the UT. The analysis by regions showed, in the mucosa, a specific distribution of versican and fibromodulin in the epithelial surface, whereas decorin and fibromodulin were observed in the lamina propria. Versican and decorin were found in the stroma of the muscular layer, whereas all studied proteoglycans were identified in the serosa. Curiously, biglycan was restricted to the wall of the blood vessels of the serosa and muscular layers. Furthermore, there was an immunoreaction for collagens, decorin, versican and fibromodulin in the UT peripheral nerves. The differential distribution of these ECM molecules in the different layers of the UT could be related to specific structural and/or biomechanical functions needed for the oviductal transport, successful fertilization and early embryogenesis. However, further molecular studies under physiological and pathological conditions are still needed to elucidate the specific role of each molecule in the human UT.

Characterization of the human ridged and non-ridged skin: a comprehensive histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis

“…In general, we found that all skin types had similar amounts of proteoglycans as determined by histochemistry, but our analysis of specific molecules revealed some interesting differences for biglycan, which was more abundantly expressed by foot skin. Biglycan is a small leucine-rich dermatan sulfate proteoglycan that plays an important role in the maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of connective tissues by regulating collagen and controlling tensile strength (Mizumoto et al 2017 ; Godoy-Guzman et al 2018 ). Therefore, the abundance of this extracellular matrix component in foot skin could contribute to its increased biomechanical properties allowing this kind of skin to withstand greater stress forces than other skin types (Swensson et al 1998 ).…”

Multi-modal profiling of the extracellular matrix of human fallopian tubes and serous tubal Intraepithelial carcinomas

“…It will be interesting to further fractionate peptide samples, for example using basic reversed phase liquid chromatography [22, 25], to identify proteins present in lower abundance in the insoluble ECM scaffold, such as growth factors or cytokines, to determine which of these factors could regulate the microenvironment. While a recent study of the ampullar region of the fallopian tube demonstrated minimal changes between the luteal and follicular phase for six ECM analytes [16], there remains the potential for patient-to-patient variability with respect to age and hormonal status (i.e., pre- vs. post-menopausal, hormonal interventions, and menstrual cycle stage). To clarify the impact of these variables on the matrisome, a larger bank of benign fallopian tube samples could be collected and analyzed.…”

“…First, the ECM composition, or “matrisome”, of the benign fallopian tube has not been defined. A recent study characterized the changes in type I and III collagens and four proteoglycans in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle [16]; however, this report focused on the ampullar region of the fallopian tube, where relatively few STICs have been observed [17]. Global proteomics of the human fallopian tube have been reported [18-21], but these methods are not able to differentiate intra- vs. extra-cellular components or characterize the insoluble matrisome in depth.…”

Basic Quality Controls Used in Skin Tissue Engineering

“…These collagen-rich bundles are arranged parallel to the skin surface and in between run the elastic fibers. Just like in other tissues [15], the 3D organization of collagens depend on the presence of certain proteoglycans, such as decorin and versican [5].…”