Immunohistochemical detection of cathepsin D in endometrium from long-term subdermal levonorgestrel users and during the normal menstrual cycle

Abstract

A previous report has shown that progesterone up-regulates cathepsin D expression in human endometrial cell culture. In women using the levonorgestrel-releasing implant Norplant®, the plasma levonorgestrel and immunoreactive endometrial progesterone receptor concentrations are elevated. However, the functional status of these receptors is not known. This study used endometrial cathepsin D expression both as an indirect marker for the functional status of endometrial progesterone receptors, and to identify the cell types that express cathepsin D. The results show that cathepsin D is primarily found in glandular epithelia and luminal epithelia in control and Norplant® endometria. There is no s..