Anomalies in the inflammatory response in endometriosis and possible consequences: a review

Khoufache K, Khaled Khoufache, K Khoufache, Michaud N, N Michaud, Norman Michaud, N Harir, Noria Harir, Harir N, P Kibangou Bondza, Kibangou Bondza P, Ali Akoum, Akoum A, A Akoum
Minerva endocrinologica · 2012 · vol. 37(1) , pp. 75–92 · PMID:22382616 · W149253570
Review OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 36 in-corpus citations
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This review examines pro-inflammatory cellular and immunological changes observed in endometriosis patients, detailing their impact on angiogenesis, apoptosis, extracellular matrix remodeling, hormonal production, and fertility.

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Abstract

Defined by the presence of endometrial-like cells outside the uterus, endometriosis is one of the most diagnosed gynecological disorders, affecting 5 to 10 % of reproductive age women, but the true incidence is unknown. Endometriosis is a major cause of pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, infertility and menstrual irregularities, but there is no clear correlation between the symptoms and the extent of the disease. Despite decades of intensive investigations, little is known about the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The disease is often associated with chronic pelvic inflammation. Abnormal levels of immune cells such macrophages, dendritic and natural killer cells were found in the peritoneal cavity of patients. However these cells seem to be unable to detect and eliminate ectopic endometrial cells. Several studies showed that peritoneal immune cells are dysfunctional and may rather contribute to endometriosis development. A review of relevant clinical and scientific studies was carried out. This review sheds light on cellular and immunological pro-inflammatory changes which were observed in patients with endometriosis, their impact on angiogenesis, apoptosis, extracellular matrix remodeling and hormonal production and consequences on fertility.

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Condition tags

endometriosisdysmenorrheadyspareuniainfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Inflammation Apoptosis Apoptosis Autoimmunity Autoimmunity Chemokines Chemokines Chemokines Cytokines Cytokines Cytokines Cytotoxicity, Immunologic Cytotoxicity, Immunologic Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Estrogens Estrogens Estrogens

Citation neighborhood (2-hop)

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. Outer rings show 2-hop neighbours — papers reached through the immediate citers/citees. [ collapse to 1-hop ]

Cited by (36)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK