Akoum A

Our previous studies showed a marked deficiency in interleukin 1 receptor type II (IL1R2) in the endometrial tissue of women with endometriosis, particularly in epithelial cells. We believe that such a deficiency in IL1R2, a potent and spec…

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a disease where endometrial tissue implants in ectopic locations. Remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a prerequisite for the implantation of this tissue to be possible. METHODS: In this study, we d…

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the concentrations of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the eutopic endometrial tissue of women with and without endometriosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study using ELISA to measure MIF concentrations in t…

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the concentrations of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the peripheral blood of normal women and patients with endometriosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study using ELISA to measure peripheral blood MIF. SE…

Numerous functional changes were observed in the intrauterine endometrial tissue of women with endometriosis. Our previous studies revealed a marked decrease in the expression of interleukin-1 receptor type 2 (IL-1RII), a decoy receptor kno…

Endometriosis, the ectopic development of endometrial tissue, is, particularly in peritoneal endometriosis, believed to result from tubal reflux of menstrual tissue. The release of cytokines and growth factors by refluxed endometrial cells …

BACKGROUND: For the implantation of endometrium in ectopic locations, remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is necessary. Many studies have shown an increased expression of various proteases in the ectopic endometrium of women with …

PROBLEM: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is secreted mainly during the menstrual phase and has been suggested to play a role in induction of apoptosis in endometrial cells and menstrual shedding. TNF-alpha receptor type 2 (TNF-RII) …

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is a major proinflammatory cytokine that is believed to play a central role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. The IL-1 receptor type II (IL-1RII) is known to bind to IL-1 and to inhibit its biological effects. In…

Endometriosis, commonly associated with intraperitoneal inflammation, is estrogen dependent. Possible links between the immunoinflammatory and endocrine changes observed in endometriotic women have been poorly understood. In this study, we …

The establishment of a new vascular supply is essential for the survival of endometrial tissue and its development in ectopic locations. We have previously shown that ectopic endometrial cells release an important mitogenic activity for hum…

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the peritoneal fluid of normal fertile women and patients with endometriosis and its growth-promoting activity toward human endothelial cells. DESIGN: R…

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of peripheral blood serum from women with endometriosis to induce monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion by monocytes and the putative role of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) system in endometriosis-assoc…

OBJECTIVE: To assess spontaneous and stimulated secretion of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) by peritoneal macrophages in women with and without endometriosis. DESIGN: Macrophages wer…

PROBLEM: Endometriosis is associated with a chronic inflammatory process, and the increased number of activated peritoneal macrophages is one of the major hallmarks of this process. The medical treatment of the disease, which is based on th…

PROBLEM: Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), a potent inducer of macrophage recruitment and activation, is overexpressed in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis. Eutopic endometrial cells of women with endometriosis secre…

Many of the biological changes occurring in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle bear a striking resemblance to those associated with inflammatory and reparative processes. Hence, it would not be surprising to find that cytokines know…

Endometriosis, an oestrogen-dependent disorder affecting women of reproductive age, is associated with active angiogenesis and an increased recruitment of leukocyte into the peritoneal cavity where the implants often develop. The role of oe…

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether hormonal agents used in the medical treatment of endometriosis, such as danazol and GnRH agonist, exert direct regulatory action on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) expression by endometrial epithelial cel…

Endometriosis, one of the most frequently occurring gynecological disorders, is estrogen dependent and is often associated with immunological changes. These include increased macrophage activation and infiltration into the endometriotic imp…

The growth of endometrial cells in ectopic locations (endometriosis) is dependent on the establishment of an adequate blood supply. Neovascularization (angiogenesis) is therefore a vital step toward the progression of this disease. We first…

Endometriosis, a frequent oestrogen-dependent disease believed to result from an aberrant proliferation of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, is associated with an increased expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) i…

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in the eutopic endometrium and in endometriotic lesions. DESIGN: Retrospective immunohistochemical study. PATIENT(S): Twenty-five normal women…

The study of misplaced endometrial cells, which abnormally implant and grow outside the uterine cavity, is of considerable interest for the understanding of the pathophysiology of endometriosis. However, endometriotic cells, particularly ep…

The pathogenesis of endometriosis, a disease widely believed to arise from an aberrant growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, is still unclear. We have previously observed that cytokine-stimulated endometrial cells of women with e…