Differential Expression of CRH, UCN, CRHR1 and CRHR2 in Eutopic and Ectopic Endometrium of Women with Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is considered as a benign aseptic inflammatory
disease, characterised by the presence of ectopic endometrium-like
tissue. Its symptoms (mostly pain and infertility) are reported as
constant stressors. Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and
urocortin (UCN) are neuropeptides, strongly related to stress and
inflammation. The effects of CRH and UCN are mediated through CRHR1
and CRHR2 receptors which are implicated in several reproductive
functions acting as inflammatory components. However, the
involvement of these molecules to endometriosis remains unknown.
The aim of this study was to examine the expression of CRHR1 and
CRHR2 in endometriotic sites and to compare the expression of CRHR1
and CRHR2 in eutopic endometrium of endometriotic women to that of
healthy women. We further compared the expression of CRH, UCN,
CRHR1 and CRHR2 in ectopic endometrium to that in eutopic
endometrium of women with endometriosis. Endometrial biopsy
specimens were taken from healthy women (10 patients) and
endometrial and endometriotic biopsy specimens were taken from
women with endometriosis (16 patients). Τhe expression of CRH, UCN,
CRHR1, and CRHR2 was tested via RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and
Western blotting. This study shows for the first time that CRH and
UCN receptor subtypes CRHR1β and CRHR2α are expressed in
endometriotic sites and that they are more strongly expressed
(p