Comparative analysis of DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha and miR-29b expression in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues from endometriosis patients compared to healthy controls: A case-control study

BACKGROUND: Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly the roles of DNA methylation and microRNAs, are increasingly recognized in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. DNA methyltransferase 3 (DNMT3) alpha, an important DNA methyltransferase, and miR-29b, a known suppressor of methyltransferase expression, may play a related role in this disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the DNMT3A and miR-29b expression in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues from women with endometriosis compared to endometrial tissues from healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endometrial tissue samples were collected from 15 women diagnosed with endometriosis (both eutopic and ectopic tissue) and 15 healthy controls during laparoscopic surgery. RNA was extracted, and the expression levels of DNMT3A and miR-29b were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase was used as a normalization control. RESULTS: DNMT3A expression was significantly increased in both eutopic and ectopic tissue compared to control endometrial tissue. In contrast, miR-29b expression was significantly decreased in the same tissues. These inverse patterns suggest a possible regulatory relationship between DNMT3A and miR-29b. CONCLUSION: The altered expression of DNMT3A and miR-29b in endometriotic tissues suggests their involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease. These molecules could serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets in endometriosis.