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. 2007 May 1;10(3):789–795. doi: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2006.tb00438.x

Interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLC) as steroid hormone sensors in human myometrium: immunocytochemical approach

D Cretoiu a,b, Sanda M Ciontea a,b, LM Popescu a,b,*, Laura Ceafalan b, Carmen Ardeleanu a
PMCID: PMC3933160  PMID: 16989738

Abstract

Expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors was investigated in cultured human normal myometrial cells (non-pregnant uterus, fertile period). The ER and PR expression was studied by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence on either myocytes or interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLC). Only those cells double immunostained for c-kit and steroid receptors were considered as ICLC. ER and/or PR immunoreactivity was localized in ICLC, primarily concentrated at the nucleus level, but it was also observed in the cell body (cytoplasm) and processes. Stronger immunopositive reaction in the ICLC nucleus for PR than for ER was noted. Under our experimental conditions, a clear positive repeatable reaction for steroid receptors could not be detected in myocytes. In conclusion, these data suggest that ICLC could be true hormonal ‘sensors’, possibly participating in the regulation of human myometrial contractions (via gap junctions with myocytes and/or by paracrine signaling).

Keywords: interstitial cells of Cajal, Cajal-like cells, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, CD117/c-kit, human myometrium, silver impregnation, methylene blue, immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry

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