Genome-based expression profiling as a single standardized microarray platform for the diagnosis of endometrial disorder: an array of 126-gene model

Objective: To assess the molecular signatures underlying endometrial disorder using cDNA microarray. Design: Gene expression-based oligonucleotide array of the normal endometrium. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Humans. Intervention(s): Endometrial tissues were obtained from 28 normal cycling women undergoing endometrial biopsy. RNA was extracted from each tissue and all labeled samples were hybridized to Affymetrix Human U133 plus 2.0 array. Main Outcome Measure(s): Transcriptional response. Result(s): Hierarchical cluster analysis with the Mahalanobis distance revealed a "126-gene" model, which are up-regulated at mid-secretory phase, moderately expressed at late-secretary phase, and down-regulated at late-secretory phase. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying the receptivity of human endometrium at mid-secretary phase can be summarized: first, complex metabolic reactions are involved. Second, the activation of complement and coagulation cascades promotes muscle contraction, chemotaxis, phagocyte recruitment, and peritoneal inflammation. Third, Ephrin A-mediated axon guidance promotes retrograde menstruation. Fourth, autophagic degradation is suggested to be responsible for the new blood vessel formation. In addition, DKK1 is up-regulated, indicating that WNT signaling pathway may contribute to the development of endometrial disorders. Conclusion(s): The success of this innovation has supported the use of microarray-based genome expression profiling as a single standardized platform for diagnosis of endometrial disorders.