Endometriosis: harmful survival of an ectopic tissue

Abstract

Endometriosis results from implantation of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Endometriosis might remain asymptomatic and discovered accidentally. However, it may cause symptoms, which include chronic pelvic pain, bleeding, infertility, and increases susceptibility to development of adenocarcinoma. The most prevailing hypothesis is that endometriosis results from implantation of endometrial tissue that gains access to peritoneal cavity by retrograde flow during menstruation. The factors contributing to the establishment and persistence of the endometriotic lesions (plaques) most probably include abnormalities of the genital tract, genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalance, altered immune surveillance, inflammatory response and abnormal regulation of the endometrial cells. The mediators that contribute to survival and progression of endometriosis are likely involved in the development of the symptoms of this process. Genomic studies have started to delineate the wide array of mediators involved and the complex genetic background required in the development of endometriosis. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of endometriosis, including progress made with transgenic animals, and a clinical perspective on the diagnosis and management of this common process.

Costunolide Induces Apoptosis in Human Endometriotic Cells through Inhibition of the Prosurvival Akt and Nuclear Factor Kappa B Signaling Pathway

“…39) Thus, novel therapeutic strategies are essential to improve clinical management of patients with endometriosis.…”

Expression of miR-126 and Crk in endometriosis: miR-126 may affect the progression of endometriosis by regulating Crk expression

“…The pathogenesis of the establishment of EMs remains unknown [2]. The disease may be attributed to retrograde passage of endometrial fragments in menstrual fluid through the fallopian tubes, which then implant at ectopic sites, usually in the pelvis [3].…”

Gene expression profiles and functional characterization of human immortalized endometriotic epithelial and stromal cells

“…Endometriosis is a debilitating disease of women of reproductive age characterized by the presence of functional endometrial glandular epithelium and stroma outside the uterine cavity (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Endometriotic tissues respond to the menstrual hormonal changes and tend to behave like the menstruating endometrium ectopically (1,2,4,6).…”