title: Insights into endometriosis-associated endometrial dysfunctions: a review.
abstract: Endometriosis is defined as the presence of ectopic endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus cavity. This disease, afflicting women during their reproductive age, is mainly associated with pelvic pain and infertility. Sampson's theory which supports the ability of endometrial fragments from retrograde menstruations to slough through fallopian tubes and reach peritoneal environment has been recognized as the most plausible explanation for endometriosis during many years. However, further studies provided evidence that fundamental abnormal changes may occur within the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis compared to that of women without endometriosis. These dysfunctions included genetic predisposition, genes aberrantly expressed such as matrix metalloproteinases, Hox genes, integrins, anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2, but also steroid hormones, immuno-inflammatory factors and angiogenesis. This review aims at summarizing and emphasizing a non exhaustive panel of biochemical and molecular factors abnormally expressed in the eutopic endometrium and related to the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche, Hopital Saint-Francois d'Assise, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Quebec (CHUQ), Universite Laval, 10, rue de l'Espinay, local D0-711, Quebec, G1L 3L5 Canada.
authors.forename: Patrick Kibangou
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Bondza
authors.forename: Rodolphe
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maheux
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akoum
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000378:metabolism; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000235:genetics; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016023:Integrins / Q000235:genetics; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor / Q000235:genetics; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins
chemical_list: D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D016023:Integrins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D011453:Prostaglandins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins; C111835:CCL2 protein, human