Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  1999 Jul;42(7):1422-1427.

Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor, Transforming Growth Factor-alpha and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Human Fallopian Tube at Various Menstrual Stages

• Kwon DJ
• Ryu SW
• Kim MR
• Chung KW
• Kim CH
• Lee JW

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We studied the expression of epidermal growh factor[EGF] and transforming growth factor[TGF]-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor[EGFR] in human fallopian tube at various menstrual stages.
METHODS
To confirm the expression of EGF, TGF-alpha and EGFR immunohisochemically in human fallopian tube, we used monoclonal antibodies to EGF, TGF-alpha and EGFR.
RESULTS
Immunohistochemical stainings using anti-EGF, anti-TGF- a and anti-EGFR antibodies showed a specific stainings in fallopian tube epithelium at late proliferative and early secretory stages, but the stainings were weak at early proliferative and late secretory stages. The patterns of expression of TGF- a and EGFR were similar to that seen with EGF. The immunostaining for EGF, TGF- a and EGFR was cycle-dependent.
CONCLUSION
These results demonstrated that EGF, TGF-alpha and EGFR were expressed in human fallopian tube epithelium specifically to menstrual stages, and that the cycle dependency suggested a potential regulation of their expression by ovarian steroids, and that these growth factors may be involved in early embryonic development.

Keyword

opian tube; Epidermal growth factor; Transforming growth factor-a; Epidermal growth factor receptor

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Embryonic Development
Epidermal Growth Factor*
Epithelium
Fallopian Tubes*
Female
Humans
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Pregnancy
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor*
Steroids
Transforming Growth Factor alpha
Antibodies
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Epidermal Growth Factor
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Steroids
Transforming Growth Factor alpha