The role of the adhesion molecule Nectin-4 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
Nectins are immunoglobulin-like adhesion molecules, and they play important role in cell proliferation and tumor metastasis. The objective in this study was to compare the expression of Nectin-4 in normal endometrium and in ectopic endometriotic tissues.


METHODS
Nectin-4 expression was investigated in ovarian endometriosis (n = 20), peritoneal endometriosis (n = 20), endometrium of endometriosis (n = 20), and in a control group (having no endometriosis) (n = 20) by immunohistochemical method.


RESULTS
Nectin-4 expression, when compared with control group, was higher in endometriotic lesions of patients having ovarian endometriosis and peritoneal endometriosis (p = 0.003 and p = 0.009, respectively). This difference was significant in the endometrium of patients having endometriosis (p = 0.011).


CONCLUSIONS
The authors believe that Nectin-4 molecule may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. For this reason, the use of medicines developed against this molecule in the treatment of endometriosis may be useful.
R
R
Bedir
I
I
Sehitoglu
G
G
Balik
M
M
Kagitci
H
H
Gucer
C
C
Yurdakul
P
P
Bagci
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000075983:Nectins
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C442228:NECTIN4 protein, human; D000075983:Nectins