Oxytocinergic regulation in pathogenesis of pelvic pain caused by adenomyosis

In need of a specific antibody against the oxytocin receptor for neuropsychiatric research: A KO validation study

Antibodies are one of the most utilized tools in biomedical research. However, few of them are rigorously evaluated, as there are no accepted guidelines or standardized methods for determining their validity before commercialization. Often, an antibody is considered validated if it detects a band by Western blot of the expected molecular weight and, in some cases, if blocking peptides result in loss of staining. Neither of these approaches are unquestionable proof of target specificity. Since the oxytocin receptor has recently become a popular target in neuropsychiatric research, the need for specific antibodies to be used in brain has arisen. In this work, we have tested the specificity of six commercially available oxytocin receptor antibodies, indicated by the manufacturers to be suitable for Western blot and with an available image showing the correct size band (45-55 KDa). Antibodies were first tested by Western blot in brain lysates of wild-type and oxytocin receptor knockout mice. Uterus tissue was also tested as control for putative differential tissue specificity. In brain, the six tested antibodies lacked target specificity, as both wild-type and receptor knockout samples resulted in a similar staining pattern, including the expected 45-55 KDa band. Five of the six antibodies detected a selective band in uterus (which disappeared in knockout tissue). These five specific antibodies were also tested for immunohistochemistry in uterus, where only one was specific. However, when the uterine-specific antibody was tested in brain tissue, it lacked specificity. In conclusion, none of the six tested commercial antibodies are suitable to detect oxytocin receptor in brain by either Western blot or immunohistochemistry, although some do specifically detect it in uterus. The present work highlights the need to develop standardized antibody validation methods, including a proper negative control, in order to grant quality and reproducibility of the generated data.

The role of the junctional zone in the management of adenomyosis with infertility

The junctional zone (JZ) is an important structure in the myometrium that maintains uterine fertility. Changes in the junctional zone are closely related to infertility and adenomyosis (ADS). As an increasing number of young women are affected by ADS, the disease is no longer considered typical of women over 40. With these changes, an increasing number of patients refuse hysterectomy and desire fertility preservation treatment. At the same time, ADS is a crucial factor causing female infertility. Therefore, the treatment of ADS-related infertility and preservation of reproductive function is one of the other major challenges facing clinicians. For these young patients, preserving fertility and even promoting reproduction has become a new challenge. Therefore, we searched and summarized these studies on PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords such as "adenomyosis", "junctional zone", and "infertility" to explore infertility causes, diagnosis, and treatment of ADS patients who wish to preserve their uterus or fertility and become pregnant, focusing on the junctional zone, to obtain a full appreciation of the new perspective on this disease.

Mode Switch of Ca2 + Oscillation-Mediated Uterine Peristalsis and Associated Embryo Implantation Impairments in Mouse Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a debilitating gynecological disease of the uterus with no medicinal cure. The tissue injury and repair hypothesis for adenomyosis suggests that uterine hyperperistalsis or dysperistalsis plays a pivotal role in establishing adenomyotic lesions. However, specific impairments in uterine peristalsis and the underlying cellular signals for these changes in adenomyosis remain elusive. Here, we report a precision-cut uterine slice preparation that preserves in vivo uterine architecture and generates peristalsis similar to that seen in the whole uterus. We found that uterine peristalsis in neonatal mice at day 14 and adult mice at day 55 presents as bursts with multiple peaks induced by intracellular Ca²⁺ oscillations. Using a mouse model of adenomyosis induced by tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, we discovered that uterine peristalsis and Ca²⁺ oscillations from adenomyotic uteri on days 14 and 55 become spikes (single peaks) with smaller amplitudes. The peak frequency of Ca²⁺ oscillations or peristalsis does not show a difference between control and adenomyotic mice. However, both the estimated force generated by uterine peristalsis and the total Ca²⁺ raised by Ca²⁺ oscillations are smaller in uteri from adenomyotic mice. Uteri from adenomyotic mice on day 14, but not on day 55, exhibit hyperresponsiveness to oxytocin. Embryo implantations are decreased in adenomyotic adult mice. Our results reveal a mode switch from bursts to spikes (rather than an increased peak frequency) of uterine Ca²⁺ oscillations and peristalsis and concurrent hyperresponsiveness to oxytocin in the neonatal stage are two characteristics of adenomyosis. These characteristics may contribute to embryo implantation impairments and decreased fertility in adenomyosis.