Impaired Development of Early Endometriotic Lesions in CD44 Knockout Mice. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Knudtson, Jennifer F.; Tekmal, Rajeshwar R.; Santos, Marlen Tellez; Binkley, Peter A.; Krishnegowda, Naveen; Valente, Philip; Schenken, Robert S.
• Is Part Of: Reproductive sciences. Volume 23:Number 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 87
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: endometriosis -- CD44 -- hyaluronic acid -- endometriosis model; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; 612.6
• DOI: 10.1177/1933719115594022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1933-7191

Abstract

Previous studies have shown endometrial cell (EC) CD44 and peritoneal mesothelial cell (PMC)-associated hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid [HA]) are involved in the attachment of endometrial stroma and epithelial cells to peritoneal mesothelium. Here we assess the CD44–HA interaction in the formation of the early endometriotic lesion using CD44 –/– (knockout) mice. Using an established murine model and crossover technique, endometrial tissue from donor mice (wild type [WT] and CD44 –/– ) was used to induce endometriosis in recipient mice (WT and CD44 –/– ). Endometriotic lesions were visualized by fluorescent microscopy and confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Early endometriotic lesions were decreased when CD44 –/– endometrium was placed in WT recipients and when WT endometrium was placed in CD44 –/– recipients ( P = .002). Early endometriotic lesions were also significantly decreased when both peritoneal and endometrial tissues lacked CD44 expression ( P < .01). These studies demonstrate that both EC and PMC CD44 play a role in the development of early endometriotic lesion.