Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Immunoexpression in Fallopian Tubes among Postmenopausal Women Based on Time since the Last Menstrual Period

Abstract

Existing data on the expression of estrogen receptor (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) in fallopian tubes in postmenopausal women are mostly inconclusive. Therefore, we assessed ERα and PR immunoexpression in the oviducts of these women. One hundred postmenopausal women were divided into three groups based on time elapsed since the last menstrual period: (A) 1–5 years, (B) 6–10 years, and (C) ≥11 years. In all groups, both in the glandular epithelium and stroma of the ampulla and isthmus of the oviduct, immunolocalization of ERα and PR were noted. The glandular epithelium of the ampulla showed a higher percentage of PR-positive cells than the isthmus in each group. Regarding ERα, there were no significant differences. In the glandular epithelium in both the ampulla and isthmus, the percentage of ERα- and PR-positive cells was significantly higher than that in the stroma in each study group and higher in the A group than in the C group. In conclusion, in postmenopausal women, time elapsed since the last menstrual period in the fallopian tubes was positively correlated with the following: (1) the epithelium showed vacuolation of cytoplasm with greater frequency, (2) the proportion of ciliated cells decreased, and (3) the percentage of ERα- and PR-positive cells also decreased. The obtained results indicate a significant decrease in ERα and PR expression depending on the time that has elapsed since the last menstruation, which is undoubtedly related to the loss of the reproductive function of the patients.

Precision-engineered biomimetics: the human fallopian tube

“…S3A). We observed overall increases in estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) expression with β-estradiol treatment and a slight increase with progesterone treatment, matching previously reported responses in fallopian tube tissue 52 and mouse FTEC standard organoids 28 . In the follicular phase when estrogen is high and progesterone is low 53 , progesterone receptor levels increase in the fallopian tube epithelium 54 and, accordingly, progesterone receptor (PGR) expression increased when our organoids were treated with β-estradiol.…”

“…S5A). These organoids were not stimulated with β-estradiol to best reflect the post-menopausal conditions of the reference fallopian tube donor, where estrogen levels are low 52,72,73 and fewer epithelial cells are ciliated 24,52,56 . Hormone stimulation can induce cilia formation (Fig.…”

“…Hormone stimulation can induce cilia formation (Fig. 3) and could be an additional organoid modification included in future pre-menopausal studies where ciliated epithelial cells are more frequent 24,52,56 and physiological hormone levels are increased 72 . Beginning with (1) the original organoid parameters (1 x 10 4 epithelial cells seeded in a growth factor reduced Matrigel core and embedded in a 2 mg/mL collagen I corona), we first increased the collagen density in the organoid corona (2) to 4 mg/mL and 6 mg/mL.…”

A Cellular atlas of the human fallopian tube reveals the metamorphosis of secretory epithelial cells during the menstrual cycle and menopause

“…SE3-pre expresses many genes involved in DNA replication and immune effector processes. Post-menopausal SE cells are enriched in genes necessary for migration but also hormone response (21), while SE post-specific exhibits enrichment in genes required for the p53-mediated response to cellular stress.…”

Hormone Receptor Expression and Disease Prognosis in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

“…2A). In this analysis, FTE samples included the fallopian tube with some cases having fimbria where ER and PR expression were found in both ciliated and nonciliated cell types 40 . Each STIC case was stained for TP53, Ki67, ER and PR.…”