T-Cadherin, E-Cadherin, PR-A, and ER-alpha Levels in Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

The goal of this study was to compare the T-cadherin, E-cadherin, progesterone receptor (PR), and estrogen receptor (ER) staining levels of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) tissue, ovarian endometriomas and normal endometrial tissues in the same individuals. The tissue sections of both DIE nodule(s) and endometrioma(s) of 15 cases were examined. As a control group, normal endometrial tissue sections of 23 cases were examined. T-cadherin, E-cadherin, ER-alpha, and PR-A staining levels of DIE, endometrioma tissues, and endometrial tissues were compared immunohistochemically. H-score was calculated to compare the expression of T-cadherin, E-cadherin, ER-alpha, and PR-A in immunohistochemical staining based on the percentage of cells stained at each intensity level. T-cadherin, E-cadherin, ER, and PR H-score were lowest in DIE tissue and highest in endometrial tissue (P<0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, and <0.0001, respectively). In correlation analysis, a positive correlation was found between T-cadherin, E-cadherin, PR, and ER H-score (P<0.0001 for each). T-cadherin, E-cadherin, ER, and PR H-score were lowest in DIE tissue and highest in endometrium tissue. We think that examination of DIE tissue and endometrioma tissue from the same individual excludes the possibility of an effect due to different genetic and environmental factors from different individuals. With the help of this exclusion we showed that DIE and endometrioma have different biological properties.