J Vet Sci.  2012 Jun;13(2):171-177. 10.4142/jvs.2012.13.2.171.

The role of inflammation and matrix metalloproteinases in equine endometriosis

• Aresu L
• Benali S
• Giannuzzi
• Mantovani
• Castagnaro M
• Falomo ME

• KMID: 1376191
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2012.13.2.171

Abstract

Equine endometriosis is a multifactorial disease considered to be a major cause of equine infertility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of histomorphological grading for biopsy-like samples compared to entire uterine wall samples, to examine the association between the degree of endometriosis with animal age, and to investigate the role of inflammation in endometriosis and the expression of different matrix metalloproteinases in equine endometrium. Histomorphological lesions in 35 uterine samples were examined while comparing biopsy-like samples and entire-wall samples. Seventeen uterine samples were stained with antibodies against MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14, and TIMP-2. The morphologic evaluation results of the biopsy-like tissue and entire-wall samples were significantly correlated. Endometriosis in older mares (>12 years of age) was more severe than in young mares (2~4 years of age), confirming the positive correlation between animal age and disease severity, while inflammation was poorly related to the degree of endometriosis. MMP-2 and MMP-14 were detected in stromal cells, while MMP-9 and TIMP-2 were both found in stromal and glandular epithelial cells. There were no significant differences in MMPs expression between the two groups (young vs. old mares). Additional studies on the activity of MMPs could further define the role of these enzymes in equine endometriosis.

Keyword

equine endometriosis; inflammation; MMPs; uterine biopsy

MeSH Terms

Animals
Endometriosis/metabolism/pathology/*veterinary
Female
Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/*physiology
Horse Diseases/metabolism/*pathology
Horses
Immunohistochemistry/veterinary
Inflammation/pathology/*veterinary
Matrix Metalloproteinases/genetics/*metabolism
Uterus/metabolism/pathology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Histopathology of the equine endometrial specimens. A1 and 2: grade I, B1 and 2: grade IIA, C1 and 2: grade IIB, D1 and 2: grade III. Specimens were classified according to Kenney and Doig [13] classification of endometriosis. Hematoxylin and eosin stain (A1, B1, C1, and D1) and Masson's trichrome stain (A2, B2, C2, and D2), ×40.

• 

  Fig. 2 Immunohistochemical staining of endometrial specimens from older mares with antibodies against MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14, and TIMP-2. (A) MMP-2 staining in inflammatory cells. (B) MMP-9 immunolabeling in glandular epithelium and stromal cells. (C) MMP-14 immunostaining in stromal cells. (D) TIMP immunostaining in glandular epithelium and periglandular stromal cells. A and C: ×200, B and D: ×400.

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