Endometrium from women with and without endometriosis, and peritoneal, ovarian and bowel endometriosis, show different c-kit protein expression

Uzan C, Catherine Uzan, Cortez A, A. Cortez, Annie Cortez, Dufournet C, Charlotte Dufournet, Raffaèle Fauvet, R. Fauvet, Fauvet R, Jean-Pierre Siffroi, Jean‐Pierre Siffroi, Siffroi JP, Émile Daraï, Emile Daraï, Daraï E
Journal of Reproductive Immunology · 2005 · vol. 65(1) , pp. 55–63 · doi:10.1016/j.jri.2004.09.002 · PMID:15694967 · W1987549654
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This study investigated c-kit protein expression in the endometrium of women with and without endometriosis, as well as in peritoneal, ovarian, and bowel endometriosis lesions, revealing distinct expression patterns.

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Abstract

BackgroundEndometriosis is defined by the presence of endometrium outside the uterus. Changes in the expression of the proto-oncogene c-kit are associated with aggressive behaviour of both benign and malignant tumours, but there are few data on its c-kit expression in endometriosis. Here we examined c-kit expression in endometrium and endometriotic tissue.MethodsImmunohistochemistry was used for qualitative and semi-quantitative (mean+/-S.D. positive cells) analysis of c-kit expression in endometrium from women with (n=9) and without endometriosis (n=18), and in peritoneal (n=20), ovarian (n=20) and colorectal endometriosis (n=20).ResultsSemi-quantitative c-kit expression was higher in endometrial glandular cells from women with endometriosis than from women without endometriosis (15.0+/-14.6% versus 3.9+/-7.4%, p=0.01). No difference in c-kit expression was found in qualitative analysis and according to the phase of the menstrual cycle. C-kit expression values in peritoneal, ovarian and colorectal endometriosis were 2.0+/-3.8%, 2.0+/-4.1% and 21.7+/-18.4%, respectively. Qualitative and semi-quantitative c-kit expression was higher in colorectal endometriosis than in peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis (p<0.001); no difference was found between ovarian and peritoneal endometriosis. No c-kit expression was detected in stromal cells of either endometrium or endometriotic tissue.ConclusionThese results suggest that the c-kit/stem cell factor axis is involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Strong c-kit protein expression was associated with invasive endometriotic lesions.

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Condition tags

endometriosisbowel_endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometrium Gene Expression Regulation Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit Adult Colon Colon Colon Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Female Humans Ovary Ovary Ovary Peritoneum Peritoneum Peritoneum

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