Molecular and immunohistochemical evaluation of CD56 gene expression and uNK cell percentage in endometrial polyps
Öz
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the the percentage of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells and the expression level of CD56 (NCAM1) in endometrial polyps.
Materials and Methods: Endometrial tissue samples were obtained from women aged 18–40 years, including 50 with polyps and 50 controls. Samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR (qPCR). CD56-positive uNK cells were quantified by immunostaining, and gene expression was assessed using the 2-ΔΔCt method.
Results: CD56 expression was significantly higher in the control group than in the polyp group (mean Ct values: control ≈ 32; polyp ≈ 27). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the median percentage of CD56+ cells was 15.2% (range 5.4–24.8%) in the control group and 9.8% (range 2.1–19.7%) in the polyp group.
Conclusion: Endometrial polyps were associated with a significant reduction in CD56 gene expression and uNK cell percentage. These findings indicate a disruption of the local immune microenvironment, which may help explain the negative impact of polyps on fertility and endometrial receptivity.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Endometrial polyp, CD56, uNK cells, Immunohistochemistry, Gene expression
Destekleyen Kurum
no supporting
Proje Numarası
no project number
Etik Beyan
Date: 09.02.2024 Number: 2
Kaynakça
- Triantafyllidou O, Korompokis I, Chasiakou S, Bakas P, Kalampokas T, Simopoulou M, et al. Impact of hysteroscopic polypectomy on IVF outcomes in women with unexplained infertility. J Clin Med. 2024;13:4755.
- de Almeida ECSA, Nogueira AA, dos Reis FJC, Ramalho LNZ, Zucoloto S. Immunohistochemical expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in endometrial polyps and adjacent endometrium in postmenopausal women. Maturitas. 2004;49:229-33.
- Zhang XX, Wu XH. Decreased CD56+ CD16‐CD94+ uNK cells in the mid‐luteal phase in women with recurrent implantation failure are associated with IL‐15 deficiency. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2023;90:e13794.
- Chiu CSC, Yeh LY, Pan SH, Li SH. Transcriptomic analysis reveals intrinsic abnormalities in endometrial polyps. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25:2557.
- El-Hamarneh T, Hey-Cunningham AJ, Berbic M, Al-Jefout M, Fraser IS, Black K. Cellular immune environment in endometrial polyps. Fertil Steril. 2013;100:1364-72.
- Rao VA, Kurian NK, Rao KA. Cytokines, NK cells and regulatory T cell functions in normal pregnancy and reproductive failures. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2023;89:e13667.
- Reis JL, Rosa NN, Martins C, Ângelo-Dias M, Borrego LM, Lima J. The role of NK and T cells in endometriosis. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25:10141.
- Kanter JR, Mani S, Gordon SM, Mainigi M. Uterine natural killer cell biology and role in early pregnancy establishment and outcomes. F&S Rev. 2021;2:265-86.
- Guan D, Chen Z, Zhang Y, Sun W, Li L, Huang X. Dual role of natural killer cells in early pregnancy: immunopathological implications and therapeutic potential in recurrent spontaneous abortion and recurrent implantation failure. Cell Prolif. 2025;58:e70037.
- Sowparani S, Mahalakshmi P, Sweety JP, Francis AP, Dhanalekshmi UM, Selvasudha N. Ubiquitous neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM): potential mechanism and valorisation in cancer pathophysiology, drug targeting and molecular transductions. Mol Neurobiol. 2022;59:5902-24.
