What type of epithelial cells line the uterine tubes?

How many cell types form the epithelial lining of the human uterine tubes? Revision of the histological nomenclature of the human tubal epithelium

Ivan Varga et al. Ann Anat. 2019 Jul.

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How many cell types form the epithelial lining of the human uterine tubes? Revision of the histological nomenclature of the human tubal epithelium
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What type of epithelium is in the uterine tube?
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Does the uterine tube have ciliated epithelium?

Abstract

Introduction: Many widely used international histological textbooks claim that the epithelium of the human uterine tube consists of two, three, and, eventually, four types of cells. Most discrepancies among these textbooks relate to debates regarding the presence or absence of basal cells, whether the peg/intercalary cells and secretory cells are the same or distinct cell populations, and if the epithelium contains a population of immunologically active cells (T- and B-lymphocytes, NK cells, macrophages and dendritic cells) or dispersed endocrine cells.

Methods: Uterine tubes were obtained from 22 women (average age: 46.73 y) undergoing gynecological surgery. The women were in fertile age, mostly in the middle of the menstrual cycle (ovulation phase). Tissue samples were processed for immunohistochemistry using primary antibodies against proliferation markers (Ki67 and PCNA), immune system cells (CD1a, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD45RO, CD56, CD68, granzyme B and S100) and disperse endocrine cells (chromogranin A and synaptophysin).

Results: Most of the mature tubal epithelial cells, ciliated cells, and secretory cells were mitotically active (PCNA+), a population of basal undifferentiated cells was not identified. The dividing cells had a narrow-shaped nucleus (Ki67 positive). These cells were morphologically identical to - by the terminology mentioned - intercalary cells, assuming they represented actually dividing cells (epitheliocytus tubarius mitoticus). The tubal "basal cells" displayed small, hyperchromatic nuclei and very pale cytoplasm (clear cytoplasmic halo). They were located in the epithelium adjacent to the basement membrane, were non-mitotically active and their immunophenotype corresponded to intraepithelial regulatory T-lymphocytes (CD3+, CD8+, CD45RO+, CD4-, CD20-, CD56- and granzyme B-). Intraepithelial B-lymphocytes were only rarely identified. Intraepithelial NK cells, dendritic cells, macrophages and dispersed endocrine cells were not identified.

Conclusions: We recommend replacing the term "epitheliocytus tubarius basalis" in the Terminologia Histologica with the term "lymphocytus T intraepithelialis tubarius", which represents intraepithelial regulatory T-cells (CD8+, CD45RO+) of the uterine tube. Additionally, we propose that intercalary/peg cells are actively dividing cells, instead of effete or degenerating cells. Finally, the histological nomenclature should be corrected in a way that peg/intercalary cells are not considered synonymous terms for secretory cells.

Keywords: Basal cells; Dividing cells; Epithelium; Intercalary/peg cells; Intraepithelial regulatory T-lymphocytes; Uterine tube.

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What type of epithelium is in the uterine tube?

The fallopian tube (FT) is composed of three layers, and the innermost mucosa is a simple columnar epithelium consisting of basal, ciliated, and secretory cells [1]. The ciliated cells can facilitate the transport of gametes and mucus secreted by mucosal epithelium [2,3].

What are epithelial cells that line the uterus?

The endometrium, the lining of the body of the uterus, is composed of numerous glands embedded within a supportive stroma.

What is the lining epithelium of fallopian tube?

The fallopian tube is lined with ciliated columnar epithelium.

Does the uterine tube have ciliated epithelium?

The oviduct epithelium is populated by ciliated cells and nonciliated secretory cells. The majority of the ciliated cells are in the infundibulum and ampulla regions of the oviduct. These cells have hair-like projections known as cilia, extending out of the apical membrane of the cell towards the lumen of the oviduct.