Apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare spontaneous apoptosis and Bcl-2 and Bax expression in eutopic endometrium from women with and without endometriosis.


METHODS
Apoptosis and Bcl-2 and Bax expression were examined in eutopic endometrium from women with and without endometriosis.


METHODS
Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental-CONICET, Department of Gynecology and Department of Gynecological Pathology, Clínicas University Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.


METHODS
Women with untreated endometriosis (n = 14) and controls (n = 16).


METHODS
Collection of endometrial samples during diagnostic or therapeutic laparoscopy.


METHODS
Apoptotic cells were detected with use of the dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay; Bcl-2 and Bax expressions were assessed with use of immunohistochemical techniques.


RESULTS
Spontaneous apoptosis was significantly lower in eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis, compared with healthy controls (2.26 +/- 0.53 and 9.37 +/- 1.69 apoptotic cells/field, respectively) and was independent of cycle phase. An increased expression of Bcl-2 protein was found in proliferative eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis. Bax expression was absent in proliferative endometrium, whereas there was an increase in its expression in secretory endometrium from both patients and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with endometriosis show decreased number of apoptotic cells in eutopic endometrium. The abnormal survival of endometrial cells may result in their continuing growth into ectopic locations.
Meresman
G F
GF
Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Buenos Aires, Argentina. meresman@dna.uba.ar
Vighi
S
S
Buquet
R A
RA
Contreras-Ortiz
O
O
Tesone
M
M
Rumi
L S
LS
D017209:Apoptosis; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein
C494826:BAX protein, human; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein