Epigenetic markers in patients with endometriosis

Endometriosis is a clinical condition affecting young women. Cells from the endometrium appear and flourish outside the uterus, often causing pain. Typically viewed as a hormonal disorder, new studies suggest that endometriosis may be an epigenetic disease. The major objective of this study was to investigate if epigenetic‐mediated changes play a role in endometriosis‐associated pain. Peritoneal fluid (PF) from women with and without endometriosis (n=6) were used to treat endometrial cells (EM‐42 and Ishikawa) for 48 hours. Global Histone modification changes were detected using Western blots. The mRNA expression of nociceptors such as cycloxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and transient receptor potential channel TRPV1 was detected using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Our results indicated changes in Histone 3 and Histone 4 modifications depending on the presence or absence of endometriosis‐associated pain. There was >;25‐fold induction in the pain‐associated genes in endometriotic tissue. Human miRNome array showed significant differences in over 30 miRNAs in endometrial tissue from endometriosis patients compared to controls. Our findings provide evidence for epigenetic changes in patients with endometriosis‐associated pain.