The depolarized expression of the alpha-6 integrin subunit in the endometria of women with endometriosis.

Objective: The current study sought to compare the endometrial localization of the integrin subunit alpha-6 in women with endometriosis and women without the disease. Alpha-6 integrins have an important function, not only in the attachment of cells to the extracellular matrix and laminin, but they also serve as inductors of cell migration and invasion, depending on their pattern of expression in the cell membrane.

Methods: The endometriosis group consisted of 32 women with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis by laparoscopy or laparotomy.

The endometria of patients with endometriosis show higher expression of class I human leukocyte antigen than the endometria of healthy women.

Objective: To compare the expression of class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA I) in endometrial samples from patients with and without endometriosis.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Acute-care teaching hospital in Barcelona, Spain.