Stem Cell Factor (SCF) Concentrations in Peritoneal Fluid of Women with or without Endometriosis

Yutaka Osuga, Y Osuga, K Koga, Kaori Koga, O Tsutsumi, Toshio Igarashi, T Igarashi, R Okagaki, Ryugo Okagaki, Y Takai, Yasushi Takai, H Matsumi, Hirotaka Matsumi, H Hiroi, Hisahiko Hiroi, Toshihiro Fujiwara, T Fujiwara, Mikio Momoeda, M Momoeda, T Yano, Tetsu Yano, Y Taketani, Yuji Taketani, Osamu Tsutsumi
American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989) · 2000 · vol. 44(4) , pp. 231–235 · doi:10.1111/j.8755-8920.2000.440407.x · PMID:11076095 · W2035174036
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This study found higher stem cell factor concentrations in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis compared to controls, with c-kit receptor gene expression detected in endometriotic tissues.

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Abstract

PROBLEM: In the quest for possible involvement of stem cell factor (SCF), a cytokine known to have multiple effects, in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, we evaluated concentrations of SCF in peritoneal fluid (PF) of women with or without endometriosis. METHOD OF STUDY: SCF concentrations in PF collected from women undergoing laparoscopy were measured, using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis to detect gene expression of c-kit, the receptor for SCF, was performed using the endometriotic tissue and the eutopic endometrium collected during the operation. RESULTS: SCF concentrations in PF of women with endometriosis were significantly higher compared to women without endometriosis. Looking at SCF concentrations in PF of women with endometriosis stratified by disease stage, women with stage I and II exhibited relatively higher SCF levels in PF, whereas SCF levels in PF with stage III and IV were comparable with those without endometriosis. The expression of mRNA for c-kit was detected in both the endometriotic tissue and the eutopic endometrium. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated an elevation in SCF levels in PF associated with endometriosis and the presence of its receptor in endometriotic tissues. Given the known pleiotropic properties of SCF, the present results suggest that SCF might play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Ascitic Fluid Endometriosis Stem Cell Factor Adult Ascitic Fluid Ascitic Fluid Base Sequence Case-Control Studies DNA Primers DNA Primers Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Mast Cells Mast Cells Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

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