The role of growth factors in the pathogenesis of endometriosis

Margarita S. Florova
In: Journal of obstetrics and women's diseases · 2019 · vol. 68(3) , pp. 71–80 · doi:10.17816/jowd68371-80 · W2957383270
article OA: hybrid CC0 ⤵ 3 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-09 ⓘ

This review examines the abnormal expression of growth factors in endometriosis patients and their role in disease pathogenesis and hormonal regulation.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-09 ⓘ

This literature review examines how growth factors and their abnormal expression, regulation by hormonal status, and downstream signaling may contribute to endometriosis pathogenesis, drawing together evidence on factors, receptors, and immune–inflammatory pathways. It highlights specific examples including elevated TGF-β in peritoneal fluid and other compartments, potential TGF-β1–mediated impairment of NK-cell activity and resistance to apoptosis, and links to VEGF-driven angiogenesis with discussion of controversial VEGF concentration changes across the menstrual cycle. The paper also covers growth-factor control of cell-cycle progression (e.g., IGF-1/epidermal growth factor) and summarizes how VEGF isoforms differ in extracellular matrix binding and angiogenic potential. As a review, it is limited by reliance on heterogeneous prior studies and includes noted discrepancies, such as mouse data where TGF-β1 deletion did not alter proliferation or vessel density in lesions. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it reviews the roles of growth factors (notably TGF-β, VEGF, and IGF pathways) in endometriosis development.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory hormone-dependent disease characterized by abnormal proliferation in the endometrium, nerves, blood vessels, fibroblasts, etc. and accompanied by immunological disorders. Growth factors are an important part of the mechanisms that underlie intercellular communication, auto- and paracrine regulation. This literature review presents data on abnormal expression of growth factors in patients with endometriosis, relationship of growth factors and hormonal status in normal and endometrial tissues, and the supposed role of growth factors in the pathogenesis of the disease.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

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.

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