title: Modeling the early endometriotic lesion: mesothelium-endometrial cell co-culture increases endometrial invasion and alters mesothelial and endometrial gene transcription.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the role of peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) in the process of endometrial invasion into the peritoneum and to evaluate gene expression after endometrial-PMC co-culture.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reproductive-age women without endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rate of endometrial invasion through modeled peritoneum in the presence and absence of PMCs was evaluated. The influence of endometrial-PMC attachment on the expression of target genes, implicated in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, was examined by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endometrial stromal cell (ESC) invasion through invasion chambers coated with Matrigel (MTGL) and with growth factor-reduced Matrigel (GFR-MTGL) was increased 10-fold when a PMC monolayer was present. Endometrial epithelioid cell (EM42) invasion increased greater than threefold through the MTGL and GFR-MTGL-coated membranes when a PMC monolayer was present. Endometrial stromal cell, EM42, and PMC transcription of extracellular signal-related kinase, colony stimulating factor-1, c-fms, and c-Met was increased after endometrial-PMC attachment. Similar changes were not seen when endometrial cells were exposed to PMC-conditioned media and when PMCs were exposed to endometrial cell conditioned media.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peritoneal mesothelial cells increased invasion of ESCs and EM42s through modeled peritoneum. Endometrial-PMC co-culture led to alterations in gene transcription by endometrial cells and PMCs. This study suggests that PMCs contribute to the process of endometrial invasion into the peritoneum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA.
authors.forename: Anitha S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Hareesh B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Richard S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Lucidi
authors.forename: Alyson J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kirchner
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Schenken
authors.forename: Rajeshwar Rao
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Tekmal
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Witz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004717:Endometrium / Q000502:physiology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D014158:Transcription, Genetic