# ROLE OF ENDOMETRIAL COMPLEMENT IN HUMAN REPRODUCTION

> **NIH NIH K08** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 1994 · $77,930

## Abstract

The long term objective of this research is to examine the possible role of
locally produced complement components in reproduction both in normal and
diseased states.  The immediate goals are to examine the regulation of
human uterine C3 and to determine if it can be related to the infertility
associated with endometriosis.  In order to accomplish these long-term
goals, we plan to examine the occurrence, cellular origin, and biological
activity of C3 in the normal endometrium and in patients with
endometriosis.  Endometrial biopsies from patients with normal laparoscopic
findings at various days of the menstrual cycle will be obtained and the
tissue will be incubated in the presence of radioactive methionine.  The
secretory and tissue proteins will then be subjected to immunoprecipitation
with C3 antibodies.  Results will be expressed as the percentage of total
counts per minute incorporated into protein which are specifically
immunoprecipitated with anti-human C3.  Endometrial biopsies from patients
with endometriosis will also be subjected to the same analysis.  RNA will
be isolated from the endometrial biopsies and analyzed using a polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) technique.  The synthesis and regulation of another
key complement component, factor B, will also be examined by these
techniques from the same endometrial samples.

Immunohistochemistry as well as in situ hybridization will be utilized to
determine the cellular location and synthesis of C3 and factor B.  To
determine if the C3 produced by the uterus is biologically active, the
ability of this protein to bind to sheep erythrocytes will be tested.
Antibody sensitized sheep red blood cells will be utilized in which the end
point of the assay is cell lysis.  The hormonal regulation of C3 will be
further studied by using the rat model of endometriosis.  In this model we
will examine the effect of various treatments including estrogen,
progesterone, GnRH agonist, dexamethasone, Tamoxifen, and indomethacin.  C3
production will be analyzed as described above.  Thus, the combination of
studies on the human and rat model will establish the hormonal regulation
of C3 gene expression and biologic activity in normal endometrium and
endometriotic tissue.  By undertaking this investigation, new insight into
the immune and inflammatory response of endometriosis will be gained, and
perhaps further the understanding of infertility associated with this
disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2194532
- **Project number:** 5K08HD001011-03
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** S352L5PJLMP8
- **Principal Investigator:** LISA A HASTY
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $77,930
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1992-07-01 → 1995-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2194532

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2194532, ROLE OF ENDOMETRIAL COMPLEMENT IN HUMAN REPRODUCTION (5K08HD001011-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2194532. Licensed CC0.

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