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Human Fallopian Tubes Express Prostacyclin (PGI) Synthase and Cyclooxygenases and Synthesize Abundant PGI

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (J.-C.H., J.S.G.), University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine (F.A.), University of Texas Medical School at Houston (K.J.T.), Vascular Biology Center (N.M.-A., K.K.W.), Institute of Molecular Medicine and Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030

Abstract

Animal studies unequivocally support the indispensable role of prostaglandin (PG) and cyclooxygenase (COX) in ovulation and implantation. Available data also suggest that PG and COX may be important in the transport of embryos. The effects of PGE₂ and PGF₂ on the contractility of human tubal muscle have been studied extensively; the expression of COX in human fallopian tubes was also reported. Despite all these, two fundamentally important questions remained to be answered: 1) which PGs are produced by human fallopian tubes; and 2) which COX isoform(s) is expressed by the fallopian tubes.

We used reverse-phase HPLC to study the metabolism of [1-¹⁴C] arachidonic acid by the fallopian tubes. We found that 6 keto-PGF₁, a stable metabolite of prostacyclin (PGI), and PGE₂ constituted 56% ± 10% and 35% ± 10% (mean ± SEM, four samples), respectively, of total eicosanoids synthesized. Western blot analysis revealed the expression of both COX isoforms. Immunohistochemistry study showed that both COX-1 and -2 were localized to nonciliated epithelia and tubal smooth muscle. In addition, COX-2 was also expressed in ciliated epithelial cells. Western blot analysis revealed the expression of PGI synthase (PGIS) and PGI receptor by fallopian tubes. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the expression of PGIS by luminal epithelia, tubal smooth muscle, vascular endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. Iloprost, a PGI analog, inhibited the activities of circular and longitudinal muscles of the fallopian tube. Thus, the fallopian tube expresses both COX isoforms and PGIS. Furthermore, it is a source and a target of PGI. PGI and COX may be important to gamete function, embryo transport, and embryo development.

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