Analysis of chemokine-chemokine receptor system in human female reproductive tissue and its function

Fractalkine是一种CX3C趋化因子，对T细胞、单核细胞和自然杀伤细胞具有趋化活性。Western印迹分析表明，Fractalkine蛋白在输卵管各部分均有表达。免疫组织化学染色显示输卵管上皮细胞染色阳性。RT-PCR结果显示CX3CR1基因在输卵管中有表达。RT-PCR还显示CX3CR1阳性细胞存在于试管中。CX3CR1阳性细胞见于输卵管间质。RT-PCR证实CX3CR1转录本在射精精子中有表达。免疫组织化学分析显示精子尾部呈阳性染色。这些结果表明，输卵管中的Fractalkine参与了受精过程中的免疫防御机制和精子在输卵管中的运动。腹水中检测到Fractalkine蛋白。腹膜表面细胞和腹膜血管周围细胞呈阳性染色。腹腔液中有CX_3CR1阳性细胞，我们检测腹腔液中的Fractalkine与子宫内膜异位症的关系。子宫内膜异位症患者腹腔液中Fractalkine浓度低于非子宫内膜异位症患者。子宫内膜异位症患者与非子宫内膜异位症患者血清Fractalkine水平无显著差异。这些结果提示子宫内膜异位症患者腹腔液中Fractalkine水平的降低可能参与了子宫内膜异位症的发病机制。Western印迹分析表明，Fractalkine在两种组织中均有表达。RT-PCR还表明，在这些器官中存在Fractalkine转录本。这些结果提示，Fractalkine可能在子宫腔内抵御侵袭性病原体方面发挥重要作用。

Fractalkine is a CX3C chemokine that has chemoattractant activity for T cells, monocytes and natural killer cells. Western blot analysis revealed that fractalkine protein was detected in the all parts of the Fallopian tube. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive staining of the epithelial cells in the oviduct. RT-PCR demonstrated that CX3CR1 transcripts were expressed in the Fallopian tube. RT-PCR also revealed that CX3CR1 positive cells were present in the tube. CX3CR1-positive cells were present in the stroma of the Fallopian tube. RT-PCR demonstrated that CX3CR1 transcripts were expressed in the ejaculated sperm. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated positive staining of the tail of the spermatozoa. These results suggest that fractalkine in the Fallopian tube contributes to the immunodefence mechanism during fertilization and to the sperm motion in the oviduct. Fractalkine protein was detected in the ascites. Positive staining was confirmed in peritoneal surface cells and perivascular cells of the peritoneum. CX_3CR1 positive cells were present in the cells in the peritoneal fluid.We examined the association between fractalkine in the peritoneal fluid and endometriosis. The fractalkine concentrations in the peritoneal fluid with endometriosis were lower than those without endometriosis. There was no significant difference between serum fractalkine levels with and without endometriosis. These results suggested that decreased levels of fractalkine found in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.We also examined the expression of fractalkine in the endometrium of the uterus and the uterine cervix. Western blot analysis revealed that fractalkine were present in both tissues. RT-PCR also demonstrtated that fractalkine transcripts were present in these organs. These results suggested that fractalkine might play an important role to protect against invasive pathogens in the uterine cavity.