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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on February 10, 2005
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh773
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Human Reproduction © European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2005; all rights reserved
Received February 20, 2004
Revised January 4, 2005
Accepted January 10, 2005

Article

Increased cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) expression in the human hydrosalpinx

Louis Chukwuemeka Ajonuma 1, Ernest Hung Yu Ng 2, Pak Ham Chow 3, Cathy Yui Hung 3, Lai Ling Tsang 1, Annie Nga Yin Cheung 4, Christine Brito-Jones 5, Ingrid Hung Lok 5, Christopher J.Haines 5, and Hsiao Chang Chan 1*

1 Epithelial Cell Biology Research Center, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
2 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, SAR, China
3 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, SAR, China
4 Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong,, SAR, China
5 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, SAR, China

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Hsiao Chang Chan, E-mail: Hsiaocchan{at}cuhk.edu.hk


  Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hydrosalpinx (HSP), characterized by abnormal fluid accumulation in the Fallopian tube, is one of the main causes of infertility in women; however, the mechanism underlying the formation of hydrosalpinx fluid (HF) remains elusive. The present study investigated the possible involvement of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a cAMP-dependent chloride channel, in the pathogenesis of hydrosalpinx. METHODS: Masson's trichrome staining was used to characterize epithelial transformation in human HSP; RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining were used for CFTR expression and localization. RESULTS: Masson's trichrome staining showed areas of epithelial transformation, focally attenuated and pseudostratified. Immunostaining showed enhanced CFTR immunoreactivity in the focally attenuated and pseudostratified areas of HSP epithelium. RT-PCR revealed that CFTR expression in HSP was significantly greater than that in normal Fallopian tubes. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that HSP epithelium undergoes epithelial transformation with elevated CFTR expression, which may lead to increased transepithelial electrolyte and fluid secretion resulting in HF formation. The present findings may lead to the development of new treatment strategies for infertile patients with HSP.

Keywords: CFTR; female reproductive tract; hydrosalpinx; hydrosalpinx fluid; infertility.
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