Amniotic membrane as an in vitro model for endometrium-extracellular matrix interactions.

The aim of the study was to develop an in vitro model to study the interaction between endometrial cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) and to evaluate the expression of cell adhesion molecules in endometrial cells and tissue fragments under in vitro conditions. Endometrial biopsies were collected from 32 patients. Samples were either digested using collagenase type I, or dissected mechanically.

Endometrial cell adhesion in an in vitro model using intact amniotic membranes.

Objective: To study adhesion between endometrial tissue and peritoneum using intact amniotic membranes as an in vitro model.

Design: A cell biologic and immunohistochemical study.

Setting: Tertiary-care university medical center.

Expression of cadherins and integrins in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle.

Objective: To detect cadherin and integrin expression in biopsies of endometrium in the phases of the cycle. Cell adhesion molecules may be involved in endometrial shedding during menstruation and attachment of shed endometrial tissue to the peritoneal lining in endometriosis patients.

Design: An immunohistochemical study on fresh frozen sections.

Adenosine-induced increase in myocardial adenine nucleotides without adenosine-induced systemic hypotension.

In anaesthetized rabbits, the i.v. application of 1% adenosine (Ado) for 3 hours at a rate of 4 ml X h-1 X kg-1 body weight increased the myocardial tissue levels of adenine nucleotides (AN) above the normal values by 39%.