[New insights into the pathophysiology of endometriosis]

Corinne Neukomm, Neukomm C, Michael D. Mueller, Mueller MD
Gynakologisch-geburtshilfliche Rundschau · 2007 · vol. 47(3) , pp. 113–117 · doi:10.1159/000102572 · PMID:17641473 · W1987569695
Review OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 3 in-corpus citations
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Endometriosis development and growth depend on the interplay between ectopic endometrial cells and peritoneal fluid factors, including cytokines, growth factors, and macrophages, with angiogenesis being critical for lesion survival.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a fascinating and complex disease resulting from a dysregulation between exfoliated menstrual endometrium and the intra-abdominal environment. Increased concentrations of activated pelvic macrophages and lymphocytes and elevated levels of specific cytokines and growth factors in the peritoneal fluid support this hypothesis. The precise roles of these soluble factors are currently unknown, but we propose that a complex interplay of these locally produced cytokines, growth factors, steroids and eicosanoids modulates the growth and inflammatory behavior of ectopic endometrial implants via neovascularization. The enhanced secretion of local proangiogenic proteins by endometriosis lesions and associated immune cells (and the concomitant reduction of antiangiogenic principles) promotes the recruitment of capillaries toward the growing lesions. Ultimately, a cascade of effects on the peritoneal microenvironment results in implant proliferation and invasion. Future therapeutic strategies to target these angiogenic stimuli have the potential to block the vascular pathogenesis of endometriosis. This article gives an overview of the different factors involved in the development, growth and progression of endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosisdie_deep_infiltrating

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Female Female Humans Humans

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 (19)

Cited by (4)

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