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Background/Aims: Endometrial cells are chronically exposed to iron due to cyclic menstrual bleeding. Iron induces expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate iron incorporation by human endometrial cells and to test whether iron may stimulate expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1. Methods: Endometrial stromal and epithelial cells were cultured in medium alone or supplemented with INF-γ or transferrin (Tf). Iron incorporation by cells was quantified by densitometry of ferritin immunostaining. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression were evaluated at the transcriptional level by real-time RT-PCR. Membrane-bound and soluble protein levels of ICAM-1 were measured by quantitative immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively. Results: Tf induced a significant increase in ferritin immunostaining in both endometrial cell types. Endometrial cells treated with INF-γ expressed more ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 than untreated cells. By contrast, Tf treatment did not alter ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in cultured endometrial cells. Conclusions: Endometrial cells are able to incorporate iron from Tf and to metabolize it to ferritin. Iron, unlike interferon-γ, does not appear to be involved in the regulation of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in cultured endometrial cells. Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]