title: Follicular fluid alterations in endometriosis: label-free proteomics by MS(E) as a functional tool for endometriosis.
abstract: Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition that affects 10-32% of women of reproductive age and may lead to infertility. The study of protein profiles in follicular fluid may assist in elucidating possible biomarkers related to this disease. For this, follicular fluid samples were obtained from women with tubal factor or minimal male factor infertility who had pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment (control group, n = 10), women with endometriosis (endometriosis group, n = 10), along with the endometrioma from these same patients were included (endometrioma group, n = 10). For proteomic analysis, samples were pooled according to their respective groups and normalized to protein content. Proteins were analyzed by in tandem mass spectrometry (MS(E)) Spectra processing and the ProteinLynx Global Server v.2.5. was used for database searching. Data was submitted to the biological network analysis using Cytoscape 2.8.2 with ClueGO plugin. As a result, 535 proteins were identified among all groups. The control group differentially or uniquely expressed 33 (6%) proteins and equal expression of 98 (18%) proteins was observed in the control and endometriosis groups of which 41 (7%) proteins were further identified and/or quantified. Six (1%) proteins were observed in both the endometriosis and endometrioma groups, but 212 (39%) proteins were exclusively identified and/or quantified in the endometrioma group. There were 9 (1%) proteins observed in both the control and endometrioma groups and there were 139 (25%) proteins common among all three groups. Distinct differences among the protein profiles in the follicular fluid of patients included in this study were found, identifying proteins related to the disease progression and IVF success. Thus, some pathways related to endometriosis are associated with the presence of specific proteins, as well as the absence of others. This study provides a first step to the development of more sensitive diagnostic tests and treatment.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery, Division of Urology , Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University , Sao Paulo , Brazil .
authors.forename: Thais
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Regiani
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery, Division of Urology , Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University , Sao Paulo , Brazil .
authors.forename: Fernanda Bertuccez
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Cordeiro
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery, Division of Urology , Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University , Sao Paulo , Brazil .
authors.forename: Lívia do Vale Teixeira
authors.initials: Ldo V
authors.lastname: da Costa
authors.affiliation: b Fleury Group, Sao Paulo , Brazil , and.
authors.forename: Jéssica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salgueiro
authors.affiliation: b Fleury Group, Sao Paulo , Brazil , and.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cardozo
authors.affiliation: b Fleury Group, Sao Paulo , Brazil , and.
authors.forename: Valdemir Melechco
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: c Department of Biomedical Sciences , Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph , Guelph , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Kayla Jane
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Perkel
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery, Division of Urology , Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University , Sao Paulo , Brazil .
authors.forename: Daniel Suslik
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Zylbersztejn
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery, Division of Urology , Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University , Sao Paulo , Brazil .
authors.forename: Agnaldo Pereira
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Cedenho
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery, Division of Urology , Human Reproduction Section, Sao Paulo Federal University , Sao Paulo , Brazil .
authors.forename: Edson Guimarães
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Lo Turco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D023302:Protein Footprinting; D040901:Proteomics
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Endometrioma; IVF; endometriosis; follicular fluid; proteomics