New considerations for the pathogenesis of endometriosis

Gazvani, Rafet; Templeton, Alexander Allan

doi:10.1016/s0020-7292(01)00577-x

Cited by 110 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…10 However, metaplastic theory also lacks a cellular or molecular basis. 11,12 Lymphatic and vascular transportation of the endometrium has also been proposed as a complimentary theory to explain rare cases of endometriosis occurring in unusual locations far from the pelvis, 13 but this is unlikely to be the primary mechanism of disease spread. [14][15][16] Another compelling proposal suggests that bone marrow-derived stem cells may differentiate into endometriotic tissue within and outside of endometrial cavity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tubal origin of ovarian endometriosis

Zeng

Wang

et al. 2014

Modern Pathology

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Endometriosis is a puzzling and debilitating disease that affects millions of women around the world. Ovary is the most common organ site involved by endometriosis. Despite various hypotheses about its cell of origin, uncertainty remains. On the basis of our clinicopathologic observations, we hypothesize that fallopian tube may contribute the histogenesis of ovarian endometriosis. To examine if the hypothesis, tubal origin of ovarian endometriosis, has scientific supporting evidence, we identified a set of novel genes, which are either highly expressed in the normal fallopian tube or in the endometrium through a gene differential array study. Among many differentially expressed genes, FMO3 and DMBT1 were selected as the initial biomarkers to test the hypothesis. These biomarkers were then validated in ovarian sections with foci of endometriosis by comparing their expression levels in the fallopian tube and the endometrium within the same patients with real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. FMO3 was highly expressed in the tubal epithelia while low in the paired endometrium. In contrast, DMBT1 was high in the endometrium but low in the fallopian tube. In 32 ovarian endometriosis cases analyzed by real-time PCR, 18 (56%) showed a high level of FMO3 and a low level of DMBT1 expression. However, 14 (44%) endometriosis cases showed a reversed expression pattern with these two markers. Results were similarly seen in the methods of western blot and immunohistochemistry. The findings suggest that approximately 60% of the ovarian endometriosis we studied may be derived from the fallopian tube, whereas about 40% of the cases may be of endometrial origin. The fallopian tube epithelia may represent one of the tissue sources contributing to ovarian endometriosis. Such novel findings, which require confirmation, may have a significant clinical impact in searching for alternative ways of prevention and treatment of endometriosis.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tubal origin of ovarian endometriosis

Zeng

Wang

et al. 2014

Modern Pathology

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“…However, retrograde menstruation may occur in up to 90% of women (10). Additional factors, particularly endocrine and immune function, likely contribute to endometriosis pathogenesis (11).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endometriosis Among Women Exposed to Polybrominated Biphenyls

Hoffman

Small

Blanck

et al. 2007

Annals of Epidemiology

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Purpose-We examined the association between endometriosis and exposure to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) among women inadvertently exposed to PBBs in 1973.Methods-Serum PBB and PCB were measured in the late 1970s. Women self-reported endometriosis at interview in 1997. We constructed Cox models to estimate the relative incidence of endometriosis in relation to PBB and PCB levels.Results-Seventy-nine of 943 women (9%) reported endometriosis. Compared to women with low PBB exposure (≤ 1 parts per billion [ppb]), women with moderate PBB (1-4 ppb) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-1.31) and high PBB (≥ 4 ppb) (HR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.51-1.59) exposure did not have increased incidence of endometriosis. Increased incidence of endometriosis was suggested among women exposed to moderate PCB (5-8 ppb) (HR = 1.67; 95% CI, 0.91-3.10) and high PCB (≥ 8 ppb) (HR = 1.68; 95% CI, 0.95-2.98) levels compared to low PCB exposure (≤ 5 ppb).Conclusions-Our study does not support an association between PBB exposure and endometriosis. Findings for serum PCB level are consistent with an emerging body of literature suggesting an association between PCB exposure and endometriosis.

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“…Several pathogenic theories are proposed: metastatic theory, metaplastic theory, induction theory, growth factors and immunity. It is defined as the presence of functional endometrial glands outside of the uterine cavity, ranging from microscopic implants to large cysts (endometrioma) [12]. The ovary is the first site of occurrence but endometrioma can appear in soft tissues, the gastrointestinal or urinary tracts and the chest [13].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%