Expression of Glycodelin and Cyclooxygenase‐2 in Human Endometrial Tissue Following Three‐dimensional Culture

Abstract

Our findings confirm that angiogenesis occurs following the culture of endometrial tissue in the 3D fibrin matrix, and suggests that Gd and COX-2 might play important roles in promoting neovascularization and cell proliferation in the establishment of endometriosis.

In vitro effects of atorvastatin on lipopolysaccharide-induced gene expression in endometriotic stromal cells

“…These findings suggest that, besides inflammation, atorvastatin also inhibits other oxidative stress-related molecular species at the sites of inflammation. It is well documented that the endometriotic implants are characterized by an environment rich in pro-oxidant, proinflammatory, and inflammatory mediators (3,6,24). Thus, our data strongly suggest that atorvastatin therapy may prove to be of benefit in the treatment of endometriosis.…”

“…Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is the rate-limiting enzyme in prostanoid biosynthesis; is involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, cell growth, and differentiation; and is likely to be influential in several of the processes that lead to ectopic endometrial development (2,3). Central to the survival and growth of endometriotic implants is the establishment of an effective blood supply, a process termed angiogenesis, which is provided and maintained by the proinflammatory milieu of the peritoneal cavity and associated immune cells (4)(5)(6).…”

BMP-2 can promote the osteogenic differentiation of human endometrial stem cells

“…These cells evolve monthly, remodel the human endometrium [18,[28][29][30][31] and have the capacity to differentiate into chondrogenic, adipogenic, osteogenic, neurogenic, and cardiogenic cell lineages [19,[21][22][23][32][33][34]. Based on this evidence, the endometrium may be an alternative source of MSC-like cells for bone tissue engineering purposes, obtainable with no extramorbidity than that required for other sources of stem cells [14,35]. Herein we evaluated the osteogenic differentiation capacity of human endometrial stem cells, as an ethically accessible source of cells, in the presence or absence of BMP-2 in vitro.…”

Endometrial Stem Cells and Endometriosis

“…Additionally our previous studies demonstrated that EnSCs are able to participate at a phenomenon like angiogenesis in 3-D cultures which is similar to early stages of endometriosis (Esfandiari, Ai et al 2007;Esfandiari, Khazaei et al 2007;Esfandiari, Ai et al 2008) which may propose a novel mechanism in pathogenesis of endometriosis compared to the traditional theory that emphasis on retrograde menstruation as a possible factor. These studies are supported by others who demonstrated recruitment of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to the endometrium (Taylor 2004) and these all may point to the role of stem cells at the pathogenesis of endometriosis Sasson and Taylor 2008).…”

“…Endometrium is well known for its profound angiogenic potency which may point to the presence of a highly regenerative back-up layer (Esfandiari, Ai et al 2007;Esfandiari, Khazaei et al 2007;Esfandiari, Ai et al 2008and Ai, Esfandiari et al 2009aand 2009b. Angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in endometrium regeneration during menstrual cycle.…”