Expression and localization of matrilysin, a matrix metalloproteinase, in human endometrium during the reproductive cycle.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the expression of a matrix metalloproteinase, matrilysin, in the human endometrium to determine whether metalloproteinase genes are expressed during the reproductive cycle. Matrix metalloproteinases are a tightly regulated family of enzymes that degrade components of the extracellular matrix and basement membrane; they play important roles in growth and development and in invasion and metastasis of tumors and thus are likely enzymes participating in the dynamic structural changes occurring in endometrium during the reproductive cycle.

STUDY DESIGN: In situ and Northern nucleic acid hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to detect and localize matrilysin ribonucleic acid and protein in normal endometrial tissue.

RESULTS: Matrilysin protein and matrilysin messenger ribonucleic acid are abundant in proliferative, late secretory, and menstrual endometrial epithelium but are not detected in early or mid secretory endometrium.

CONCLUSION: The expression of the matrilysin gene is regulated in endometrium during the reproductive cycle, implying an important role for matrilysin in endometrial physiologic characteristics.