Endometriosis: abnormal endometrium and dysfunctional immune response.
This review highlights recent studies that illuminate the role of the immune system in endometriosis. The findings are discussed in the framework of a model which proposes that endometriosis reflects an immunological selection process. Endometrial cells, which are inherently resistant to apoptosis and immune-mediated elimination, acquire the capacity to utilize the products of an activated immune system to establish ectopic foci of disease. Cyclical inflammatory/immune cell stimulation that fails to eliminate ectopic endometrial implants results in progressive immunological derangement and associated pathophysiological changes which are characteristic of the disease.
Braun
D P
DP
Institute for the Study and Treatment of Endometriosis, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Dmowski
W P
WP
D004715:Endometriosis / Q000276:immunology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans