Role of the CXCL12–CXCR4 axis in the development of deep rectal endometriosis

M Leconte, Leconte M, Mahaut Leconte, Chouzenoux S, S. Chouzenoux, Sandrine Chouzenoux, Carole Nicco, C Nicco, C Chéreau, Chéreau C, Christiane Chéreau, Arkwright S, S Arkwright, P Santulli, Santulli P, Piétro Santulli, Bernard Weill, Weill B, B. Weill, Charles Chapron, Chapron C, C. Chapron, B. Dousset, Frédéric Batteux, F. Batteux
Journal of Reproductive Immunology · 2014 · vol. 103 , pp. 45–52 · doi:10.1016/j.jri.2013.12.121 · PMID:24534089 · W2163580534
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This paper investigated the involvement of the CXCL12–CXCR4 signaling pathway in the progression of deep rectal endometriosis.

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Abstract

Immunological and angiogenetic factors enhance the implantation of endometrial cells in the peritoneal cavity. The aim of this work was to determine the role of the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis in the attraction and the peritoneal implantation of endometriotic stromal cells in deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Biopsies of DIE nodules were obtained from 14 patients undergoing surgical treatment for DIE with low rectal involvement and from 12 patients without macroscopic endometriosis undergoing laparoscopy. CXCR4 expression was evaluated by Western blot analysis and flow cytometry in eutopic endometrial cells and DIE stromal cells in primary cultures derived from the biopsies. CXCL12-induced migration of DIE eutopic endometrial stromal cells was evaluated by transwell migration. CXCL12 was assayed in peritoneal fluids by ELISA. CXCR4 expression was higher in eutopic endometrial stromal cells than in control endometrial cells (p<0.05) and in DIE stromal cells (p<0.05). Eutopic endometrial stromal cells were more attracted by CXCL12 than control cells (p<0.01). CXCL12 was higher in DIE peritoneal fluids than in controls (p<0.05). CXCR4 was down-regulated in deep infiltrating endometriotic stromal cells. The CXCL12-CXCR4 axis plays a role in the attraction of eutopic endometrial cells into the peritoneal cavity, and the down-regulation of CXCR4 in resident endometriotic cells could cause their arrest in situ.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Chemokine CXCL12 Endometriosis Endometrium Receptors, CXCR4 Ascitic Fluid Ascitic Fluid Cell Movement Cells, Cultured Chemokine CXCL12 Chemokine CXCL12 Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium Endometrium Female Humans Inflammation Inflammation Receptors, CXCR4 Receptors, CXCR4

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