title: Endometriotic epithelial cells induce MMPs expression in endometrial stromal cells via an NFkappaB-dependent pathway.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the stroma-epithelium interactions in endometriosis and to identify the possible signalling pathways involved in this cross-talk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory study via primary cultured endometrial stromal and epithelial cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients with endometriosis confirmed by histopathology were recruited in the study, and 12 women free of endometriosis were used as control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specific NFkappaB inhibitor 1-Pyrrolidinecarbodithioic acid ammonium salt (PDTC) was used in cell cultures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression and secretion of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and the DNA-binding activity of NFkappaB in normal endometrial stromal cells or in co-cultures with normal or endometriotic epithelial cells from patients with endometriosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endometrial epithelial cells induced MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression in normal stromal cells in vitro. In co-cultures with endometriotic epithelial cells, normal endometrial stromal cells expressed and secreted higher MMP-2 (p < 0.05) and MMP-9 (p < 0.05). Specific inhibition of NFkappaB pathway in stromal cells abolished this induction effect by epithelial cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endometriotic epithelial cells induce MMPs expression and secretion in normal endometrial stromal cells via an NFkappaB-dependent pathway in vitro. This cross-talk between epithelial cells and stromal cells may facilitate the implantation and extension of the ectopic foci and favour the development of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Mingjiang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Fuling
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jijun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zeqing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Xingbo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9