Current research status on molecular etiology of endometriosis

Endometriosis (EMS) is an estrogen-dependent disease in which the glands and stroma of the endometrium grow outside the uterus and is a common cause of pelvic pain and infertility. Pathogenesis of EMS has not yet been fully understood, and it is a hot topic in clinical and basic research of obstetrics and gynecology. Current studies results have shown that the molecular mechanism of EMS is not simply an abnormality of some biological characteristics. It involves the invasion of endometrium into peritoneum, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell adhesion, autophagy and other aspects. This article focuses on latest research progresses of molecular etiology of EMS from the aspects of invasion of endometrium into peritoneum, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell adhesion, autophagy and so on. Key words: Endometriosis; Matrix metalloproteinases; Vascular endothelial growth factors; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Cell adhesion; Neovascularization, pathologic; Pathogenesis; Female