Elevated peritoneal soluble endoglin and GDF-15 in infertile women with severe endometriosis and pelvic adhesion

Budi Santoso, Nanda Yuli Rahmawati, Ashon Sa’adi, Sa'adi A, Ashon Sa'adi, Dwiningsih SR, Sri Ratna Dwiningsih, Annas JY, Jimmy Yanuar Annas, Arif Tunjungseto, Muhammad Yohanes Ardianta Widyanugraha, Widyanugraha MYA, M. Y. Ardianta Widyanugraha, Mufid AF, Alfin Firasy Mufid, Fadhil Ahsan, Ahsan F
Journal of Reproductive Immunology · 2021 · vol. 146 , pp. 103343 · doi:10.1016/j.jri.2021.103343 · PMID:34116485 · W3167113547
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This study investigated the levels of peritoneal soluble endoglin and GDF-15 in infertile women, finding them to be elevated in those with severe endometriosis and pelvic adhesion.

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Abstract

ObjectivesChronic inflammation and pelvic adhesion play a critical role in endometriosis-related infertility. Research studies suggest that TGF-β superfamily members, such as soluble endoglin (sEng), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β1) contribute to the regulation of inflammation, angiogenesis and cell adhesion. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between the concentrations of these TGF-β-related members and the clinical parameters of infertile women with endometriosis.Materials and methodsSixty-five infertile women who underwent laparoscopy were divided into two groups in this study: those who had endometriosis (n = 33) and control subjects with benign gynecologic disorders (n = 32). The levels of TGF-β- related members in peritoneal fluid and serum were evaluated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical and hematological parameters were documented and analyzed.ResultsEndometriosis cases had significantly higher levels of sEng, GDF-15 and TGF-β1 in peritoneal fluid (p<0.0005) compared to control subjects, but not in serum. Moreover, serum GDF-15 level was significantly elevated in the late-stage endometriosis compared to the early-stage group. The levels of three TGF-β related molecules in peritoneal fluid showed positive correlations with rASRM score. Blood neutrophil counts have correlation with the peritoneal sEng concentration.ConclusionOur novel evidence on the elevated concentration of peritoneal sEng and GDF-15 in endometriosis, specifically in the late-stage, may indicate the essential role of TGF-β-dependent signaling in endometriosis. Serum GDF-15 might serve as a candidate biomarker for endometriosis severity. Further studies are warranted to investigate the role and regulation of these molecules in endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endoglin Endometriosis Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Infertility, Female Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Adult Ascitic Fluid Ascitic Fluid Ascitic Fluid Biomarkers Biomarkers Biomarkers Endoglin Endoglin Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Growth Differentiation Factor 15

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