The Inflammatory Role of Pro-Resolving Mediators in Endometriosis: An Integrative Review

Cássia de Fáveri, Paula Medina Poeta Fermino, Anna Paula Piovezan, Lia Karina Volpato
International journal of molecular sciences · 2021 · vol. 22(9) , pp. 4370 · doi:10.3390/ijms22094370 · PMID:33922064 · W3154450508
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This review synthesizes evidence that pro-resolving mediators like Lipoxin A4 and Resolvin D1 may inhibit endometriosis progression by reducing inflammation and proliferation, while Annexin A1 expression is altered in endometriosis patients.

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Abstract

The pathogenesis of endometriosis is still controversial, although it is known that the inflammatory immune response plays a critical role in this process. The resolution of inflammation is an active process where the activation of endogenous factors allows the host tissue to maintain homeostasis. The mechanisms by which pro-resolving mediators (PRM) act in endometriosis are still little explored. Thus, this integrative review aims to synthesize the available content regarding the role of PRM in endometriosis. Experimental and in vitro studies with Lipoxin A4 demonstrate a potential inhibitory effect on endometrial lesions' progression, attenuating pro-inflammatory and angiogenic signals, inhibiting proliferative and invasive action suppressing intracellular signaling induced by cytokines and estradiol, mainly through the FPR2/ALX. Investigations with Resolvin D1 demonstrated the inhibition of endometrial lesions and decreased pro-inflammatory factors. Annexin A1 is expressed in the endometrium and is specifically present in women with endometriosis, although the available studies are still inconsistent. Thus, we believe there is a gap in knowledge regarding the PRM pathways in patients with endometriosis. It is important to note that these substances' therapeutic potential is evident since the immune and abnormal inflammatory responses play an essential role in endometriosis development and progression.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Inflammation Inflammation Mediators Animals Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Inflammation Inflammation Mediators

Citation neighborhood

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. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (44)

Cited by (11)

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