Endometrial stromal cells from women with endometriosis reveal peculiar migratory behavior in response to ovarian steroids.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate differences in endometrial stromal cell (ESC) migration between patients with and without endometriosis.


METHODS
Differences in ESC migration, cellular morphology, and cytoskeletal-actin dynamics were evaluated in response to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and steroid hormones (17beta-estradiol and progesterone).


METHODS
Medical school research laboratory.


METHODS
Endometrial biopsy samples obtained from 43 women: 23 as controls (endometriosis excluded by laparoscopy), 20 with severe or moderate endometriosis (diagnosed by laparoscopy).


METHODS
ESCs were treated with and without PDGF-BB, 17beta-estradiol, and progesterone.


METHODS
Cellular migration was evaluated by means of chemotaxis experiments in a Boyden chamber. Cellular morphology and cytoskeletal-actin dynamics were evaluated by immunofluorescence.


RESULTS
Progesterone stimulated the migratory behavior of ESCs derived from women with endometriosis, while 17beta-estradiol could stimulate motility of ESCs derived from both controls and women with endometriosis, with a greater effect observed in the latter group. No difference in ESC migratory behavior after PDGF-BB treatment was observed between women with and without the disease. Also, PDGF-BB and steroid hormones could modify the organization of actin cytoskeletal structures.


CONCLUSIONS
Ovarian steroids differently affect the migration of ESCs derived from women with and without endometriosis. This effect is likely to involve cytoskeletal reorganization. Nongenomic signaling pathways induced by steroid hormones might have a role in this phenomenon.
Gentilini
Davide
D
Molecular Biology Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
Vigano
Paola
P
Somigliana
Edgardo
E
Vicentini
Lucia Maria
LM
Vignali
Michele
M
Busacca
Mauro
M
Di Blasio
Anna Maria
AM
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077214:Becaplermin; D001706:Biopsy; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D000077214:Becaplermin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol