Go Ichikawa

Relationship Between Toll-like Receptor-4 and mPGES-1 Gene Expression in Local Lesions of Endometriosis Patients

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are innate immune receptors that mediate the pattern recognition of, and response toward, pathogens and host‐derived danger signals. We reported that cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES) mRNA were expressed in cases of endometriosis. The relationship between COX‐2, mPGES‐1, and TLR4 in endometriotic lesions has yet to be determined.

Effects of anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibody on PlGF, VEGF and sVEGFR1 production from cultured choriocarcinoma cell line.

Aim:  Anti‐β2‐glycoprotein I (anti‐β2‐GPI) antibody has been detected in cases of recurrent abortion and intrauterine death. Placenta growth factor (PlGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are growth factors that accelerate villous proliferation. Soluble VEGF receptor‐1 (sVEGFR1) is a soluble receptor for PlGF and suppresses the function of PlGF. In order to study the pathological mechanism of anti‐β2‐GPI antibody, we evaluated the effects of anti‐β2‐GPI antibody on PlGF, VEGF and sVEGFR1 production from cultured choriocarcinoma cells.

Rare case of primary peritoneal pregnancy infiltrated into the Gerota's fascia of the right kidney

A 33‐year‐old, gravida 3, para 2, woman was transferred to our hospital, with acute abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a cystic lesion accompanied by ring‐enhancement between the liver and right kidney with fluid collection in the pelvic cavity. Serum hCG value was 3100 mIU/mL. Transvaginal sonography revealed a pseudo‐gestational sac in a thickened endometrium. With a preoperative diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy at 7 weeks of gestation, laparotomy was performed. Following careful removal of clots between the liver and right kidney that contained a gestational sac, continuous bleeding from a defect in the Gerotas fascia of the right kidney was noted. The postoperative course was uneventful and the serum hCG concentration decreased markedly. This case demonstrates that the Gerotas fascia is a possible site of ectopic pregnancy, and that CT can identify a pregnancy in the Gerotas fascia as well as in the liver and spleen.

Leukocyte subpopulation in ascites of women with pre-eclampsia.

Problem Pre‐eclampsia is associated with excessive maternal systemic inflammatory response. The immune cells in ascites of pre‐eclampsia have not been studied well. In order to investigate the inflammatory response in ascites of pre‐eclampsia, we studied leukocytes subpopulation in ascites.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Leukocyte Subpopulation in Ascites of Women with Pre-Eclampsia

Problem Pre‐eclampsia is associated with excessive maternal systemic inflammatory response. The immune cells in ascites of pre‐eclampsia have not been studied well. In order to investigate the inflammatory response in ascites of pre‐eclampsia, we studied leukocytes subpopulation in ascites.

The Expression of MAS1, an Angiotensin (1–7) Receptor, in the Eutopic Proliferative Endometria of Endometriosis Patients

Background/Aim: We demonstrated that AT1 and AT2 are expressed and both pathways balance the renin-angiotensin system in endometriosis. MAS1, a specific receptor of angiotensin (1–7), opposes AT1 pathway-associated tissue remodelling. It is not known whether MAS1 has an effect on the pathogenesis of endometriosis or not. Materials and Methods: Ovarian endometriotic tissues (endo-Ov) and eutopic endometrial tissues (endo-Em) were obtained from 29 patients with endometrial cysts. Normal endometrial tissues (cont-Em) were obtained from patients without endometriosis. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for MAS1, AT1 and AT2 in the endometriosis-associated tissues. The mRNA levels of these receptors were examined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Results: MAS1 was immune-positive at the apical side of the glandular epithelium in the endometriotic lesions. The MAS1 mRNA levels in endo-Ov were increased significantly, irrespective of the menstrual cycle phase. The MAS1 mRNA levels were significantly higher in the proliferative-tissues of the endometriosis patients than in those of the controls. The ratio of the MAS1 to the AT1 mRNA in the proliferative tissues was increased predominantly in the endometriosis patients compared with that in the controls. Conclusion: High MAS1 expression in the endometrium might promote the initiation of endometriosis via migration of proliferative tissue.

The Inflammatory Process and Successful Implantation

Abstract: Implantation is essential for successful reproduction. In humans, uterine receptivity is restricted to the mid-secretory phase, days 19 to 24 of the menstrual cycle; and this period is called the window of implantation (WOI). Large populations of decidual leukocytes infiltrate the implantation site, and the levels of cytokines, prostaglandins (PGs), and leukocytes are up-regulated in the endometrium during implantation. Implantation is like a local wound healing process which is characterized by a strong Th1, pro-inflammatory response in which high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, LIF, IL-8, and TNFα are involved. In addition, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression increases between days 2 to 5, suggesting that PGs are necessary for the process of stromal cell decidualization in early pregnancy. Recently, it was reported that endometrial biopsies taken during spontaneous cycles that preceding IVF treatment improved the rate of implantation, clinical pregnancies, and live births in patients with recurrent implantation failure. These results suggest an ininflammatory environment is not adequately induced in some IVF patients with recurrent implantation failure in the absence of local injury provoked by biopsy treatment, further suggesting that uterine receptivity is mediated by the expression of molecules associated with a pro-inflammatory process.

Successful pregnancy in a case of bladder and ovary endometriosis following cystoscopy‐assisted laparoscopic resection

A 34‐year‐old, gravida 0 para 0 Japanese woman visited a regional hospital complaining of dysmenorrhea, hematuria during menstruation, and right inguinal pain. She had a history of dysmenorrhea and three prior rounds of in vitro fertilization with embryo transfer, which were all with transfers of cryopreserved‐thawed single embryos in natural cycles, resulting in no pregnancy. An ultrasound revealed a large 2 × 1‐cm nodule between the bladder and the anterior wall of the uterus and a 3‐cm cystic lesion in the right adnexal area. A combined cystoscopic and laparoscopic resection of the bladder endometriosis and cystectomy of the right endometrioma were carried out. A single ultrasound‐guided transfer of a cryopreserved‐thawed embryo in the cleavage stage was performed 4 months postoperatively, which resulted in an uncomplicated pregnancy. The combined, single procedure was minimally invasive and eradicated the lesions that may have caused the infertility.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Leukocyte Subpopulation in Ascites of Women with Pre-Eclampsia: LEUKOCYTES IN ASCITES OF PRE-ECLAMPSIA

Problem Pre‐eclampsia is associated with excessive maternal systemic inflammatory response. The immune cells in ascites of pre‐eclampsia have not been studied well. In order to investigate the inflammatory response in ascites of pre‐eclampsia, we studied leukocytes subpopulation in ascites.