The role of mitochondrial dynamics in the pathophysiology of endometriosis

Hiroshi Kobayashi, Sho Matsubara, Chiharu Yoshimoto, Hiroshi Shigetomi, Shogo Imanaka
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research · 2023 · vol. 49(12) , pp. 2783–2791 · doi:10.1111/jog.15791 · PMID:37681703 · W4386530233
review OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 12 in-corpus citations
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This review highlights how mitochondrial dynamics, including fission and fusion, influence energy metabolism and redox homeostasis, potentially contributing to the pathophysiology of endometriosis.

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Abstract

AIM: Endometriosis is a chronic disease of reproductive age, associated with pelvic pain and infertility. Endometriotic cells adapt to changing environments such as oxidative stress and hypoxia in order to survive. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis, focusing primarily on the molecular basis of energy metabolism, redox homeostasis, and mitochondrial function, and discuss perspectives on future research directions. METHODS: Papers published up to March 31, 2023 in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases were included in this narrative literature review. RESULTS: Mitochondria serve as a central hub sensing a multitude of physiological processes, including energy production and cellular redox homeostasis. Under hypoxia, endometriotic cells favor glycolysis and actively produce pyruvate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and other metabolites for cell proliferation. Mitochondrial fission and fusion dynamics may regulate the phenotypic plasticity of cellular energy metabolism, that is, aerobic glycolysis or OXPHOS. Endometriotic cells have been reported to have reduced mitochondrial numbers, increased lamellar cristae, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced cell proliferation and survival. Increased mitochondrial fission and fusion turnover by hypoxic and normoxic conditions suggests an activation of mitochondrial quality control mechanisms. Recently, candidate molecules that influence mitochondrial dynamics have begun to be identified. CONCLUSION: This review suggests that unique energy metabolism and redox homeostasis driven by mitochondrial dynamics may be linked to the pathophysiology of endometriosis. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics in endometriosis.

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Condition tags

mesh:D004715endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Mitochondrial Dynamics Mitochondrial Dynamics Mitochondrial Dynamics Mitochondrial Dynamics Mitochondrial Dynamics Mitochondrial Dynamics

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.

References (78)

Cited by (12)

Source provenance

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK