Endometriosis may be generated by mimicking the ontogenetic development of the female genital tract.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the expression of genes playing a decisive role during the embryonic development of the female genital tract (WNT4, WNT5A, WNT7A, PAX8) in the peritoneum of patients with endometriosis and control patients.


METHODS
Experimental study using real-time polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization.


METHODS
University-based laboratory.


METHODS
Patients with and without endometriosis undergoing surgery for benign indications.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Percentage of samples positive for gene expression by using real-time polymerase chain reaction, as well as relative expression values compared with housekeeping genes. Confirmation of results by in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
Expression of WNT7A and PAX8 was found in the normal peritoneum in approximately half of the patients with endometriosis in contrast to the controls. In patients with endometriosis WNT7A and PAX8 in histologically normal peritoneum (with no evidence of endometriosis, endosalpingiosis, or other changes) were confirmed by in situ hybridization.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of these genes in the normal peritoneum suggests that endometriosis can arise through metaplasia and can in the process make use of the developmental steps involved in the embryonic development of the female genital tract.
Gaetje
Regine
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany. gaetje@em.uni-frankfurt.de <gaetje@em.uni-frankfurt.de>
Holtrich
Uwe
U
Engels
Knut
K
Kissler
Stefan
S
Rody
Achim
A
Karn
Thomas
T
Kaufmann
Manfred
M
D004715:Endometriosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D000072636:PAX8 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000071818:Wnt-5a Protein; D060528:Wnt4 Protein
D000072636:PAX8 Transcription Factor; C083325:PAX8 protein, human; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C555581:WNT4 protein, human; C085389:WNT5A protein, human; C092778:WNT7A protein, human; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D000071818:Wnt-5a Protein; D060528:Wnt4 Protein