Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 in the endometrium in menorrhagia

Miriam Mints, Bo Blomgren, Jan Palmblad
International journal of molecular medicine · 2007 · vol. 19(6) , pp. 909–13 · doi:10.3892/ijmm.19.6.909 · PMID:17487423 · W2071756459
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 expression in endometrial capillaries and arterioles was increased in women with idiopathic menorrhagia compared to controls.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-09 · read from full text ⓘ

This study investigated vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) expression in endometrial tissue, comparing 24 patients with idiopathic menorrhagia (IM) to 18 healthy, fertile women using immunohistochemistry and image analysis of VEGFR-3 and CD34-stained endothelial structures. VEGFR-3 expression was weak to moderate in endometrial stroma and glands across the menstrual cycle in both groups, with capillaries showing markedly higher expression than arterioles and venules, and no menstrual-cycle–related differences between patients and controls. The key finding was that vascular VEGFR-3 expression was higher in IM, including a 1.6-fold increase in the number of VEGFR-3–positive capillaries per mm² and a 2.0-fold increase in VEGFR-3–positive arterioles. The limitation explicitly noted by the study design is that it compares IM to healthy controls without functional validation of how VEGFR-3 drives angiogenesis. This paper is centrally about endometriosis—association context is provided via a statement that disrupted angiogenesis may lead to endometriosis, while the study’s actual experimental focus is idiopathic menorrhagia and VEGFR-3 in endometrium.

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Abstract

Angiogenesis is essential for endometrial growth and repair, and disruption of this process may lead to common gynecological disorders, including menorrhagia and endometriosis. We have recently shown that expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and its two main receptors, VEGFR-1 and -2, is increased in idiopathic menorrhagia (IM). The aim of this study was to determine the expression of VEGFR-3 in normal and IM endometrium. Endometrial biopsies from 24 patients with IM and 18 healthy and fertile women were used for immunohistochemistry assessments and image analyses of VEGFR-3 and CD34-stained endothelial structures. We found that weak to moderate expression of VEGFR-3 was present in stroma and glands throughout the menstrual cycle without differences between patients and controls. Capillaries expressed VEGFR-3 markedly, whereas arterioles and venules stained moderately to markedly. However, we observed that vascular expression of VEGFR-3 in capillaries was 1.6-fold higher in the IM group than in controls, when assessed as the number of stained capillaries per mm(2). There was also a 2.0-fold higher number of arterioles, which were VEGFR-3 positive in the IM group. There was no difference with regard to the menstrual cycle between patients and controls. Thus, human endometrium expresses VEGFR-3, and expression of this receptor is increased in idiopathic menorrhagia. These results indicate that VEGFR-3 may play a role in the abnormal endometrial angiogenesis of IM.
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Print ISSN: 1107-3756 Online ISSN: 1791-244X International Journal of Molecular Medicine is an international journal devoted to molecular mechanisms of human disease. International Journal of Oncology is an international journal devoted to oncology research and cancer treatment. Covers molecular medicine topics such as pharmacology, pathology, genetics, neuroscience, infectious diseases, molecular cardiology, and molecular surgery. Oncology Reports is an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research in Oncology. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine is an international journal devoted to laboratory and clinical medicine. Oncology Letters is an international journal devoted to Experimental and Clinical Oncology. Explores a wide range of biological and medical fields, including pharmacology, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, and molecular cardiology. International journal addressing all aspects of oncology research, from tumorigenesis and oncogenes to chemotherapy and metastasis. Multidisciplinary open-access journal spanning biochemistry, genetics, neuroscience, environmental health, and synthetic biology. Open-access journal combining biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, and genetics to advance health through functional nutrition. Publishes open-access research on using epigenetics to advance understanding and treatment of human disease. An International Open Access Journal Devoted to General Medicine. Article - Authors: - Pages: 909-913|Published online on: June 1, 2007https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.19.6.909 - Expand metrics + Angiogenesis is essential for endometrial growth and repair, and disruption of this process may lead to common gynecological disorders, including menorrhagia and endometriosis. We have recently shown that expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and its two main receptors, VEGFR-1 and -2, is increased in idiopathic menorrhagia (IM). The aim of this study was to determine the expression of VEGFR-3 in normal and IM endometrium. Endometrial biopsies from 24 patients with IM and 18 healthy and fertile women were used for immunohistochemistry assessments and image analyses of VEGFR-3 and CD34-stained endothelial structures. We found that weak to moderate expression of VEGFR-3 was present in stroma and glands throughout the menstrual cycle without differences between patients and controls. Capillaries expressed VEGFR-3 markedly, whereas arterioles and venules stained moderately to markedly. However, we observed that vascular expression of VEGFR-3 in capillaries was 1.6-fold higher in the IM group than in controls, when assessed as the number of stained capillaries per mm2. There was also a 2.0-fold higher number of arterioles, which were VEGFR-3 positive in the IM group. There was no difference with regard to the menstrual cycle between patients and controls. Thus, human endometrium expresses VEGFR-3, and expression of this receptor is increased in idiopathic menorrhagia. These results indicate that VEGFR-3 may play a role in the abnormal endometrial angiogenesis of IM. Copy and paste a formatted citation Spandidos Publications style Mints M, Blomgren B and Palmblad J: Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 in the endometrium in menorrhagia. Int J Mol Med 19: 909-913, 2007. APA Mints, M., Blomgren, B., & Palmblad, J. (2007). Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 in the endometrium in menorrhagia. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 19, 909-913. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.19.6.909 MLA Mints, M., Blomgren, B., Palmblad, J."Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 in the endometrium in menorrhagia". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 19.6 (2007): 909-913. Chicago Mints, M., Blomgren, B., Palmblad, J."Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 in the endometrium in menorrhagia". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 19, no. 6 (2007): 909-913. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.19.6.909

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometrium Menorrhagia Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 Adult Blood Vessels Blood Vessels Case-Control Studies Endometrium Endometrium Female Gene Expression Humans Menorrhagia Neovascularization, Pathologic Neovascularization, Pathologic Neovascularization, Pathologic Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3

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