Yasushi Hirota

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the presence of endometriotic tissue outside the uterine cavity. Although its pathogenesis remains to be elucidated, immune status is suggested to play an important role in the initiation and the …

Introduction: Endometriosis, defined as the growth of endometrial tissue outside \nthe uterine cavity is a common gynaecological disorder affecting 10-15% \nof women in their reproductive years. It is a major clinical problem causing in- \n…

BACKGROUND: Regulation of decidualization is decisive for proper implantation and the establishment of pregnancy. Recent studies have suggested that several bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play physiological roles in reproduction. In the…

In a novel paradigm of T cell differentiation, type 17 T helper (Th17) cells may play a significant role in endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disease. However, the mechanism regulating the accumulation of Th17 cells in endometriotic tis…

Immunophilin FK506-binding protein 52 (FKBP52) is a cochaperone that binds to the progesterone receptor (PR) to optimize progesterone (P(4))-PR signaling. We recently showed that Fkbp52-deficient (Fkbp52(-/-)) mice have reduced uterine PR r…

OBJECTIVE: To determine possible involvement of splice variant 1 (SV1), a variant of the pituitary growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor, in the development of endometriosis. DESIGN: Comparative and laboratory study. SETTING: U…

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between eotaxin and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. DESIGN: Comparative and laboratory study. SETTING: University teaching hospital reproductive endocrinology and infertil…

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of post-operative oral contraceptives (OCs) use on the rate of recurrence after laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometrioma. METHODS: In May 2005, we introduced a 'post-operati…

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is activated by serine proteases such as trypsin, tryptase, and coagulation factors VIIa and Xa. A large body of evidence has shown that PAR2 plays an important rol…

During the menstrual cycle, dynamic morphological changes are observed in the ovarian follicle and the endometrium. These changes are associated with the onset of the inflammatory response in which many proteinases play various roles. Throm…

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease that affects approximately 10% of women of childbearing age. It is characterized by endometrial growth outside the uterus and often results in inflamed lesions, pain, and reduced fertility. Al…

Several lines of evidence indicate that the Th2 immune response is associated with endometriosis. Although an increased concentration of interleukin (IL)-4, a typical Th2 cytokine, has been reported in endometriotic tissues, the implication…

BACKGROUND: The increase in concentration of osteoprotegerin, an antagonist of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis may interfere with TRAIL-induced apoptosis i…

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dienogest on the proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells. DESIGN: Comparative and laboratory study. SETTING: University of Tokyo Hospital. PATIENT(S): Endometriotic stromal cells were isolated…

IL-17A is secreted from Th17 cells, a discovery leading to revision of the mechanism underlying the role of Th1/Th2 in the immune response. Strong evidence suggests that immune responses associated with inflammation are involved in the path…

CONTEXT: Metformin, a widely used treatment for diabetes that improves insulin sensitivity, also has both antiinflammatory properties and a modulatory effect on ovarian steroid production, two actions that have been suggested to be efficaci…

Adiponectin, a pleiotropic cytokine, exerts its effects via the specific receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. Whereas circulating adiponectin concentrations decrease in women with endometriosis and endometrial cancer, possible effects of adiponec…

In various cells including endometriotic cells, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) plays essential roles for inflammation, an etiological factor for endometriosis. We evaluated the effect of FR 167653, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, on the …

Both the classic form of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, GnRH I, and GnRH agonists reportedly have antiproliferative and apoptotic (programmed cell death) effects on cultured endometriotic cells as well as on some cancer cells …

BACKGROUND: To analyse risk factors that influence the recurrence of endometrioma after laparoscopic excision. METHODS: A total of 224 patients who had a minimum of 2 years of post-operative follow-up after laparoscopic ovarian endometriom…

BACKGROUND: Inflammation has been proposed to play essential roles in the pathophysiology of endometriosis, in which neutrophils and mast cells have been suggested to be involved. We studied whether the protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2),…

PROBLEM: Adiponectin is a novel adipocytokine of extreme importance for the metabolism. Recent studies have indicated that adiponectin suppresses inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibrosis, which are central pathogenic factors for endometrios…

BACKGROUND: Aiming at improving an animal model of endometriosis, we developed a homologous mouse model using 'green mice' that ubiquitously express green fluorescent protein. METHODS: Endometrial fragment obtained from estradiol (E2)-supp…

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of interleukin (IL)-16 in peritoneal fluid in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. DESIGN: Comparative and laboratory study. SETTING: University of Tokyo Hospital. PATIENT(S): Peritoneal fluids (PFs) were…