Small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) in the endometrium of polycystic ovary syndrome women: a pilot study
Authors: Manuel J Simões
Maria Cândida P Baracat
Paulo C Serafini
Ricardo Azziz
Ricardo Santos Simões
Edmund C Baracat
Gustavo Arantes R Maciel
José Maria Soares Jr
Helena B Nader
Journal: Journal of Ovarian Research (2017)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Endometrium; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Proliferative phase; Small leucine-rich proteoglycans.
Affiliations: Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil., Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. ., Department of Molecular Biology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil., Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.

Abstract:  Background: Small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) play an important role in tissue homeostasis and cell proliferation since these proteoglycans sequester multiple growth factors. However, the content of SLRPs in the endometrium of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women is unknown. Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that excessive endometrial proliferation in PCOS may be partly related to abnormalities in SLRPs. Methods: In a cross section study a total of 20 endometrial samples were collected from 10 patients with PCOS and 10 ovulatory women during their proliferative (pre-ovulatory) phase. The study subjects were matched for age, body mass index and race. The age range was 20 to 35 years. All volunteers were evaluated in reproductive endocrinology clinic, Gynecology Division, Clinics Hospital, University of São Paulo Medical School Profile and concentration of small leucine-rich proteoglycans (decorin, lumican, fibromodulin and biglycan) were determined by immunohistochemical testing and Western blotting. Results: Decorin and lumican demonstrated higher immunoreactivity and relative expression in the endometrium of women with PCOS compared to that of women with regular menstrual cycles. Conclusion: Our data suggests that the endometrium of PCOS women demonstrate a greater content of SLRP than controls; decorin and lumican, in particular, were found in higher concentrations in the endometrium of PCOS women during the proliferative phase. These differences may, in part, explain the excess of endometrial proliferation frequently observed in PCOS. Further studies are warranted. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Fig.3 u2013 decorin and biglycan bands are more similar than expected. Could the authors check, please? ![file] , 
 Dear Sir, We would like to thank you for calling our attention to the error regarding figure 3. Unfortunately we made a mistake when sending the attachment with the image referring to Biglycan. We would like to kindly apologize for the error and modify the corresponding image. If possible we would appreciate to insert an errata with the new image. Thanks for your contribution Josu00e9 Maria Soares Ju00fanior Correspondent author , 
 #1 Dear Sir, We would like to thank you for calling our attention to the error regarding figure 3. Unfortunately we made a mistake when sending the attachment with the image referring to Biglycan. We would like to kindly apologize for the error and modify the corresponding image. If possible we would appreciate to insert an errata with the new image. Thanks for your contribution Josu00e9 Maria Soares Ju00fanior Correspondent author ,