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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on December 17, 2008
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/den452
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor and elafin in human fallopian tube and in an in-vitro model of Chlamydia trachomatis infection

Anne E King1,5, Nick Wheelhouse2, Sharon Cameron3, Sarah E McDonald1, Kai-Fai Lee4, Gary Entrican2, Hilary OD Critchley1 and Andrew W Horne1

1 Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK 2 Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands, Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK 3 Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK 4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China

5 Correspondence address. Dr Anne King Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh The Queen's Medical Research Institute 47 Little France Crescent Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Email: anne.king{at}ed.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)131 242 6613; Fax: +44 (0)131 242 6441

BACKGROUND: Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) and elafin are anti-protease and anti-microbial molecules with a role in innate immune defence. They have been demonstrated at multiple mucosal surfaces including those of the female reproductive tract.

METHODS AND RESULTS: This study details their expression in human Fallopian tubes (ampullary region) throughout the menstrual cycle (n = 18) and from women with ectopic pregnancy (n = 6), and examined their regulation by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in an in-vitro model. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that SLPI and elafin were constitutively expressed in the Fallopian tube during the menstrual cycle but were increased in ectopic pregnancy (P < 0.05 versus early-mid luteal phase, P < 0.01 versus all phases, respectively). SLPI and elafin were immunolocalised to the Fallopian tube epithelium in biopsies from non-pregnant women and those with ectopic pregnancy. An in-vitro culture model of C. trachomatis infection of the OE-E6/E7 oviductal epithelial cell line showed that elafin mRNA expression was upregulated in response to chlamydial infection.

CONCLUSION: These data suggest that SLPI and elafin have a role in the innate immune defence of the Fallopian tube in infection and ectopic pregnancy. Their role is likely to include regulation of protease activity, wound healing and tissue remodelling.

Key words: Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor/elafin/Chlamydia trachomatis/ectopic pregnancy/Fallopian tube

Submitted on October 2, 2008; resubmitted on October 25, 2008; accepted on November 15, 2008.


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