title: Expression of human β-defensin-2 in the eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues in patients with endometriosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression of human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) in the endometrium of patients with endometriosis (EMS) and explore the potential role of hBD-2 in the pathogenesis of EMS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  50 women including EMS patients undergoing laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy and non-EMS patients undergoing hysterectomy for uterine fibroids.
  
  
  METHODS
  Large university teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were divided into EMS and non-EMS groups. The gene expressions of hBD-2, interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the endometrial tissues of each group were detected with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and hBD-2 protein expression with immunohistochemical method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The gene expression levels of hBD-2, TNF-α, and IL-1β as well as the positive expression rate of hBD-2 protein in the ectopic endometrium of EMS patients were significantly higher than those in the eutopic endometrium of EMS and non-EMS patients (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the gene expression levels of hBD-2 in the ectopic and eutopic endometrium of EMS patients were positively correlated with the gene expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High levels of hBD-2 gene and protein expressions in the ectopic endometrium of EMS patients may be an important contributor in the pathogenesis of EMS. TNF-α and IL-1β may promote the upregulation of hBD-2 expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58, Zhongshan 2th Road, 510080 Guangzhou, China. chenshuqin1021@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Shu-Qin
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jin-Bo
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hong-Ye
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Shu-Zhong
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D023083:beta-Defensins