Mechanism of endometriosis based on the expressions of Bcl-w protein in eutopic and ectopic endometrium

Objective To investigate the role of apoptosis suppressing gene——Bcl-w in the morbidity and development of endometriosis (EMT). Methods Immunohistochemical staining (SP method) was used to detect the expressions of Bcl-w in endometrium tissues in normal endometrium and EMT in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium, respectively. Results Bcl-w was expressed in the glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells of the endometrium, especially in the cytoplasm of glandular epithelial cells and occasionally in cytomembranes and cell nuclei. The expressions of Bcl-w in the ectopic endometrium group and the eutopic endometrium group were higher than that in the normal endometrium group (P < 0.01). The expression of Bcl-w in the ectopic endometrium group was higher than that in the eutopic endometrium group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Bcl-w, an apoptosis inhibiting gene, plays an important role in the morbidity and development of EMT. Key words: EMT; Ectopic endometrium; Eutopic endometrium; Bcl-w