Pathogenesis of endometriosis: the role of defective 'immunosurveillance'

George Christodoulakos, Christodoulakos G, Augoulea A, Areti Augoulea, Ιrene Lambrinoudaki, Irene Lambrinoudaki, Sioulas V, Vasilios Sioulas, Creatsas G, George Creatsas
The European journal of contraception & reproductive health care : the official journal of the European Society of Contraception · 2007 · vol. 12(3) , pp. 194–202 · doi:10.1080/13625180701387266 · PMID:17763257 · W1973282792
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⚙ AI-generated summary by gemini-2.5-flash-lite, 2026-06-08 ⓘ

This review analyzes the pathogenesis of endometriosis, suggesting a deficient immune system unable to clear ectopic endometrial cells creates an environment that promotes implantation and proliferation.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the aetiopathogenesis and the role of defective 'immunosurveillance' in endometriosis. METHOD: Review of studies on the pathogenesis of endometriosis, focusing particularly on novel molecules which express adhesive or proteolytic properties. Hypotheses addressing the role of oxidative stress in endometriosis were also reviewed. RESULTS: Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease associated with a general inflammatory response aiming to clear the peritoneal cavity from the ectopic endometriotic cells and tissue. Modern theories suggest that this inflammatory response creates an environment that may promote implantation and proliferation due to defective 'immunosurveillance'. CONCLUSION: The modern interpretation of the theory of reflux menstruation holds that women destined to develop endometriosis have a deficient immune system, which cannot defend against regurgitated endometrial cells. New findings on genetics, immune modulation, and secreted products of endometriotic lesions of affected women have given insight into the pathogenesis of this disorder and may serve as the background for new treatments of endometriosis-associated pain and infertility.

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Condition tags

endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometrium Cell Adhesion Cell Adhesion Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Endometrium Female Female Humans Humans Immune System Diseases Immune System Diseases Immunologic Surveillance Immunologic Surveillance

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 ]

References (64)

Cited by (50)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK